A shrimp gumbo, made with a roux and the trinity, and the addition of boiled eggs to stretch the meal and add additional protein for the Lenten season. Eggs may be omitted if you prefer.

Lenten Shrimp and Egg Gumbo

Egg most often appears throughout the year in a gumbo made from a hen or chicken, quail eggs in everything else often, though during Lent it's seafood. The egg stretches the meal and adds extra protein.

I based my version on a recipe from Best of the Best from Louisiana cookbook, which did not include okra, so I left it out, though certainly use some if you prefer. Some folks will argue with you that it's not a gumbo without it because they probably read that somewhere.

A bread-based dressing with the classic vegetable seasonings and the addition of mashed potatoes.

Bread and Potato Dressing

Let's see. A bread-based dressing with the classic vegetable seasonings, and the addition of mashed potatoes?

I'm not at all mad at it!

In fact, I cannot believe this isn't already something in the South for heaven's sake.

Nicely seasoned whole catfish fillets, pan seared, then smothered in an etouffée gravy and served over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes or grits.

Smothered Catfish Etouffée

Can you take another etouffée? Oh my goodness, yes. We do "smother" a lot of different foods down south!

• The most commonly known smothered dish is probably, Crawfish Etouffée. Even folks visiting our area are probably most familiar with this dish. Delish and great served with a nice blackened catfish too.
• Lesser known but popular locally is this shortcut Shrimp Etouffee, and let's just say I was very surprised when a friend from Louisiana shared this little shortcut secret!

Of course, seafood isn't the only thing we smother!

Boneless pork chops, topped with a sweet and tangy mustard layer and finished with crispy, browned panko breadcrumbs, makes for a tender and juicy chop, shown here with my Supreme Pasta Salad.

Deviled Pork Chops

The idea for these came from an episode of America's Test Kitchen that I caught on antenna television one day. The ideas were so clever and the pork chops looked amazing!

Of course, I had to put my own little spin on things, though there were some very significant guidance points that I did include in my version.

Tiny pasta shells cooked in a nicely seasoned tomato soup and milk-based sauce and finished with shredded cheese.

Cheesy Tomato Shells

We all have a least one of those simple foods that brings back memories and this is one of mine. Another one of those sinfully simple recipes that deserves a mention especially since it makes a great Lenten meal.

When I was a young gal, I used to hang out and spend the night at my cousins' house every once in awhile. Debra was close to my age and Patty wasn't all that far behind us, and we all got along and had a good time. It was nice to get out of the house and hang with them.

Russet potatoes, slow cooked with onion, celery and chicken broth and finished with cream, prepared in your slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Potato soup is a long-held favorite of many of you, from simple and classic, to fully loaded and dressed up, to easy, shortcut versions, most folks just seem to love it.

Featured on this website, are several versions in case you've missed them:

Homemade kettle style popcorn, popped stovetop in a sugared oil and butter blend and tossed with Cajun seasoning, mixed with seasoned salt and cinnamon.

Homemade Cajun Kettle Corn

I am not a big fan of microwave kettle corn - it's either not very flavorful, or just too overly sweet for me. But Homemade Kettle Corn with spicy Cajun seasoning?

Count me in!

I was watching Food Network once when Melissa d'Arabian's show came on and she happened to be making some kettle corn.

When I noticed she added in cinnamon, I was intrigued!

A New Orleans restaurant favorite, seasoned oysters and bacon are threaded on skewers, passed in a buttermilk egg wash and dredged in flour and fried. Serve with a lemon butter sauce, toast points and lemon wedges.

Oysters en Brochette

It is thought that this dish originated at Galatoire’s restaurant in New Orleans, initially believed to have come from a Réveillon Christmas Eve dinner menu, though don't quote me on that! It may just be that Galatoire's is the only restaurant left that still serves it. Does make sense though as it's a bit fancy looking, isn't it? 

This Boston butt begins with an overnight dry rub marinade, then cooks low and slow in your oven, producing a roasted exterior crusting with a beautifully tender pork. It's perfect to pull for sandwiches, or to use in other recipes like Piggy Mac, hot pork dips and pulled pork spaghetti.

Oven Roasted Pulled Pork

I reckon nothing makes a proQ'er crazier than home cook versions of pulled pork. Can't blame them really. A quality, authentic wood-smoked pulled pork takes a lot of time, love and attention. The finished product is certainly worthy of praise.

I'm pretty sure that I can speak for many of us home cooks when I say we would gladly take a plate of delicious pulled pork and burnt ends that someone slaved over and carefully monitored in a wood fired smoker all day long. We would be ultra-thrilled, but for us home cooks, as the saying goes ain't nobody got time (or patience) for that!

Okay, well some of you might. But I do not.

A rich baked spaghetti that includes spaghetti noodles mixed with sour cream, cottage cheese, eggs and cheese, topped with a meat sauce and finished with a layer of Cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.

Million Dollar Baked Spaghetti

Million Dollar Spaghetti is another one of those baked casseroles that has been around for a long time, although, it's gotten some recent viral attention on TikTok in the last year.

Like I said in a previous post, with social media, all things old become new again!

Although I am not a TikTok user, or even a fan, I have to admit it is kinda cool to see old recipes getting a revival with some younger folks.