Filé powder has been used by cooks in the Louisiana region for centuries. Filé is the ground leaf of the sassafras tree, Sassafras albidum, a member of the laurel family. Native to North America, the ...

My pantry could be used as a test for culinary knowledge. There are loads of various spices, herbs, oils, sugars, flours, leavening agents and dried fruits. Many times, my husband has asked, “Where is ...

French andouille sausage is a spicy smoked sausage popular in Cajun dishes like gumbo and jambalaya. Look for pork or chicken andouille, or use any type of sausage you like. Filé powder thickens and ...

A mouthwatering bowl of gumbo is not just an iconic dish, but an invitation to learn about the foodways of Louisiana. Whether the gumbo you deem “authentic” is Creole or Cajun, thinner like at Dooky ...

As someone who binge-watched “Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators” on Netflix, I don’t shy away from the gauntlet. Recently, a reader threw one down. Granted, it had a ...

Editor’s Note: The Historic New Orleans Collection and The New Orleans Advocate present this occasional series looking back on the people, events and traditions that have shaped the Crescent City. The ...