"Nowhere else have I found the passion for flavor that encompasses the lives of Louisianians, day in and day out," writes Emeril Lagasse. In Louisiana Real & Rustic, the prize winning New Orleans chef, cookbook author, and television cooking personality presents the great dishes of his adopted state in 150 down-home recipes--authentic versions of some of Americas favorite regional dishes, gathered from generations of Louisiana cooks. Fricassees, itouffies and grillades, meat pies and oyster fries, red beans and rice, and jambalayas and gumbos in endless, mouthwatering variety--each recipe is spiced with the unabashed joy of cooking and eating that makes every Louisiana meal a feast.

On a delicious tour of back roads and bayous, from country cabins in Acadia to the refined town houses of Creole aristocracy, Emeril, accompanied by co-author Marcelle Bienvenu, finds that Louisiana ismore than a geographical state--it's a culinary state of grace.

Louisiana's colorful history has made it an extraordinary culinary crossroads, where the cooking customs of France, Spain, Africa, and the Caribbean meld into a unique New World Cuisine. In charming tales and tempting recipes, Emeril traces the roots of Creole and Acadian (or "Cajun") dishes, and honors the pioneer cooks who blended traditional tastes and techniques with the region's native ingredients. He shows how gumbos can use French roux, African okra, or fili from the indigenous Indians and he features Chicken and Oyster, Duck and Wild Mushroom, Shrimp and Okra, and Rabbit, or even collards, kale, mustard, and turnips. Emeril's explorations reveal that the spirit of culinary improvisation still thrives today."Nowhere else have I found the passion for flavor that encompasses the lives of Louisianians, day in and day out," writes Emeril Lagasse. In Louisiana Real & Rustic, the prize winning New Orleans chef, cookbook author, and television cooking personality presents the great dishes of his adopted state in 150 down-home recipes--authentic versions of some of Americas favorite regional dishes, gathered from generations of Louisiana cooks. Fricassees, itouffies and grillades, meat pies and oyster fries, red beans and rice, and jambalayas and gumbos in endless, mouthwatering variety--each recipe is spiced with the unabashed joy of cooking and eating that makes every Louisiana meal a feast.

On a delicious tour of back roads and bayous, from country cabins in Acadia to the refined town houses of Creole aristocracy, Emeril, accompanied by co-author Marcelle Bienvenu, finds that Louisiana ismore than a geographical state--it's a culinary state of grace.

Louisiana's colorful history has made it an extraordinary culinary crossroads, where the cooking customs of France, Spain, Africa, and the Caribbean meld into a unique New World Cuisine. In charming tales and tempting recipes, Emeril traces the roots of Creole and Acadian (or "Cajun") dishes, and honors the pioneer cooks who blended traditional tastes and techniques with the region's native ingredients. He shows how gumbos can use French roux, African okra, or fili from the indigenous Indians and he features Chicken and Oyster, Duck and Wild Mushroom, Shrimp and Okra, and Rabbit, or even collards, kale, mustard, and turnips. Emeril's explorations reveal that the spirit of culinary improvisation still thrives today.

"If some like it hot, Lagasse likes it hotter. The New Orleans chef, who spices up the TV Food Network nightly, shows off his fiery jambalaya and piquant andouille sausages, along with French-inspired Creole onion soup and daube glacee among other bayou specials in this Whoo! Bam! cookbook."(-- People)

Lagasse introduces readers to the Creole tradition with an American twist. This guide includes 175 recipes that reflect the heart of Louisiana cooking and ingredients that reflect its soul. Includes 58 photos.

Chef Emeril Lagasse, named "Best Southeast Regional Chef" in 1991 by the James Beard Foundation, introduces readers to the Creole tradition with an American twist. It includes 175 recipes that reflect the heart of Louisiana cooking and ingredients that reflect its soul. Includes 58 photos.

Emeril Lagasse is the chef/owner of several critically acclaimed restaurants, including Emeril's Restaurant, NOLA, and Emeril's Delmonico in New Orleans. He also owns and runs Emeril's New Orleans Fish House and Delmonico Steakhouse in Las Vegas, as well as Emeril's Orlando and Emeril's Tchoup Chop in Orlando, Emeril's Miami Beach, and Emeril's Atlanta.

In addition, Emeril Lagasse is the host of Emeril Live and The Essence of Emeril on the Food Network and the food correspondent for ABC's Good Morning America. His previous cookbooks include Emeril's Potluck; Emeril's There's a Chef in My Family!; From Emeril's Kitchens; Emeril's There's a Chef in My Soup!; Emeril's TV Dinners; and Every Day's a Party.

Emeril Lagasse's enthusiasm for mentoring and teaching young people inspired him to establish The Emeril Lagasse Foundation^®, a nonprofit organization that seeks to mentor, inspire, and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive and creative individuals. The Emeril Lagasse Foundation^® supports a diverse network of organizations — including St. Michael Special School for Exceptional Children in New Orleans and the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation^® — and will continue to cultivate relationships with organizations that are committed to improving the quality of young people's lives in each of the communities where Emeril's restaurants operate.