Jambalaya and Crawfish Pie and Fillet Gumbo – New Orleans

The lyrics and melody from Carpenters’ international hit “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” was constantly ringing in my head during my recent trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. Undoubtedly, New Orleans is world famous for its unique southern cuisine that is strongly influenced by New Orleans’ colourful past. Historically, New Orleans saw the inhabitation of French, Spanish, Native Americans and Africans. The cultural and culinary interactions between these groups of early settlers in New Orleans saw the birth of a culinary style that belongs to the people of New Orleans. Gumbo is a soup from New Orleans whose main ingredients include seafood, okra, onions, bell peppers and celery. Each of these key ingredients in Gumbo is introduced to New Orleans by the early settlers. Just like the dish Gumbo, New Orleans mix of cultures that co-existed for many centuries forms a Gumbo, a cultural style and way of living that can only be found in New Orleans.

Voodoo Gift Shop, Bourbon Street

A visit to New Orleans begins with a stroll along the many famous streets in the French Quarter lined with southern cuisine restaurants, jazz bars and novelty stores. Whilst in French Quarter admiring the French influenced architecture, a trip to the novelty stores allows you to pick up interesting t-shirts and souvenirs with loud provoking messages and a taste of the voodoo culture in this part of the country. A culinary experience is not to be missed for visitors of New Orleans. Many restaurants in the French Quarter serve deliciously tasty southern cuisine such as the Gumbo, Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffee and Po-Boys. If you get tired and need a place to rest, Café Du Monde is a perfect place to stop, sip a cup of coffee and savour some Beignets – the official state doughnut of Louisiana.

Shrimp Po-Boys

Beignets

While you are in the French Quarter, pay a visit to Jackson Square. In Jackson Square, you will find the awe inspiring equestrian statue of the seventh President of the United States – Andrew Jackson, with the Saint Louis Cathedral set in the background. The cathedral is a minor basilica designated by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

Jackson Square, French Quarter

As night falls, the jazz bars in Bourbon Street start to come alive. Many bars open their doors and windows. As you walk along Bourbon Street, you can take a peek at the crowd in the bars and the jazz bands. The jazz music cannot be missed with the doors and windows wide open. Also along the street, you can find wannabe jazz musicians buskering. It is all very lively and vibrant.

For jazz fans, do not miss the Preservation Hall. It is an old dark building situated in the French Quarter that you need to keep an eye out for it in the day. At night, you will not miss this seemingly unattractive building because there is a long line forming outside the gates of the hall, with many jazz fans waiting eagerly to get a ticket to watch a live jazz performance.

Your Travel Beacon,
Joanne