HAPPY MARDI GRAS everyone!! When I think of New Orleans, I have great memories of time spent in pre-Mardi-Gras ball celebrations, years ago.. As a herbalist + 'foodie', I LOVE concocting delicious herb + spice blends to enhance meals and add "kitchen medicine" to the dishes I prepare for family & friends. Emeril's Essence is one of my long time faves as New Orleans is synonymous with Emeril LeGasse and his Cajun-Creole cuisine.
In celebration of TODAY (Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday -->Mardi Gras!), here's one of my favourites!
Emeril's ESSENCE Herb Blend Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
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Store in a glass jar.
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Yield: ⅔ cup
For a complete list of why Emeril's Essence is so good for you, check out this post!
This delicious herbal combination is delicious with veggie dishes, meats, fish, in sauces & stews, in classic Jambalayas. Excellent with sauteed shrimp or BBQ salmon! Years ago, when I first started to make this, I added some fresh sesame seeds to Emeril's essence and sprinkled it atop hummus to rave reviews! If you make pizza dough or biscuits, try adding a little before baking.. It's SO good!
And..... here's another idea:
Courtesy of the FOOD NETWORK and Chef Emeril Legasse..
CAJUN Bloody Mary ~ Happy Mardi Gras!!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups tomato juice
- ¾ cup vodka
- 1 ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon "Emeril's Essence" above
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- Cocktail onions for garnish
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients (except garnish) in a small pitcher and stir. Refrigerate until well chilled.
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Serve over ice.
Recipe Notes
**Emeril serves over ice, pickled green beans or okra with cocktail onions for garnish.
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