Cooking Up a Storm: New Orleans Recipes for Recovery

by Marcelle Bienvenu, Judy Walker

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, thousands of people lost their keepsakes and family treasures forever. As residents started to rebuild their lives, The Times-Picayune of New Orleans became a post-hurricane swapping place for old recipes that were washed away in the storm. The newspaper has compiled 250 of these delicious, authentic recipes along with the stories about how they came to be and who created them. Cooking Up a Storm includes the very best of classic and contemporary New Orleans cuisine, from seafood and meat to desserts and cocktails. But it also tells the story, recipe by recipe, of one of the great food cities in the world, and the determination of its citizens to preserve and safeguard their culinary legacy.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food and Drink

368 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2008

About the author

Marcelle Bienvenu has worked as a contributing editor for magazines and newspapers including Food & Wine, Southern Living, Redbook, and the New York Times. Her articles and recipes are regularly featured in Louisiana Cookin', CityLife, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune. She lives in St. Martinville, Louisiana."

Reviews

[The Cat In The Hat · Rating 5 out of 5]

i've already made 2 recipes from this book. fantastic! when we were stationed in NOLA, we developed a taste for the cuisine and have never been the same. picked this up and read through it the first night in the hotel - several recipes bookmarked for try out next week! a must have for any good broad based cook.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best compilation of good, every-day cooking and signature treats that every southern Louisianan family knows and loves. I even found a spot-on recipe for my late aunt's infamous Floating Island that no one in my family has been able to replicate. This is one of the books that I actually treasure and will go back to again and again.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to live in Biloxi, MS up until Hurricane Katrina. My family was lucky and we didn't lose hardly anything, not even recipies. But I bought this book after skimming it and really enjoying not only the recipes, but the story behind it. It's definitely has authentic food from the New Orleans/Cajun area. I recommend this very much.

[Tracy]

I received this as a going away gift from my dear Louisiana friends. It will be treasured in my home for years to come and I hope to make all the recipes one day. Love Louisiana and this one has a special connection to the memories, stories, devastation and rebirth of New Orleans in the years after Katrina.

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one gets 5 stars since I found a BBQ Shrimp recipe I lost years ago in it and am so happy to be able to cook that dish again! Great recipes throughout but you have to try the BBQ recipe!

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great classic recipes. GOt from library but now need to buy...

[Steff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this cookbook. I've tried several of the recipes and they've all become classics that I've made over and over again.

[EvilMissMonkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid cookbook. It would get five stars, except that neither of the two jambalaya offerings involve a roux and the shrimp and crawfish fettuccine recipe calls for Velveeta.

[kathy weidner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luv it lots. Takes me back home. Home in southern Decatur,Illinois. Lol

[OneDayI'll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous cookbook I found at a library book sale. Everything from beverages, snacks, appetizers, meals, sides, desserts, and some fun candies. The blue cheese puffs are going to happen soon.

[Craig J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic recipes that you will use!