14 creole recipes

This very rich cake from the West Indies is ideal for those who prefer not to ice their Christmas cakes.

Creole gumbo loaded with shrimp, crab, oysters, chicken wings, veal, ham bone, and okra, thickened with file powder. A true New Orleans-style gumbo served over rice.

Pat's Shrimp Creole with a two-stage sauce: the first vegetables simmer into the tomato base for 45 minutes then get strained out, and fresh aromatics with brown sugar finish the dish. Serves 8 over rice.

Creole-style navy beans simmered with tomatoes, celery, onion, and green pepper in a garlic-seasoned sauce. A simple, hearty Southern side dish ready in under an hour.

Cajun shrimp Creole simmered for hours in a homemade shrimp stock with fresh tomatoes, three peppers, thyme, basil, and the holy trinity. Even better made a day or two ahead.

Diced chicken simmered with bell pepper, onion, garlic, and rice in a spicy tomato sauce with a dash of nutmeg and hot sauce. Southern Creole comfort served with crusty bread.

Argentine Creole stuffing with pork and veal mince, milk-soaked bread, hard-boiled eggs, olives, and mango. A South American holiday tradition for roasted poultry.

Homemade Creole sauce with okra, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and sherry blended smooth. A versatile Louisiana-style sauce with heat from hot sauce and depth from chili sauce.

Buttermilk chocolate cake split and filled with coconut-pecan cream, then blanketed in sour cream chocolate frosting. A Southern showpiece worth every step.

Try a different kind of bread with this scrumptious recipe that calls for shrimp, sweet bell peppers and red hot pepper sauce.

Vegetarian Creole bean casserole loaded with bell pepper, celery, garlic, and tomatoes, topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Serve over rice with salsa for a hearty meatless meal.

Slow-simmered Creole lentil soup with bell peppers, celery, onion, tomato paste, and a touch of brown sugar. Hearty, plant-based, and full of bayou soul.

Lentil stew Creole with okra, green beans, tomatoes, and green pepper served over brown rice. A plant-based Southern-style stew with a Tabasco kick and no added fat.

Creole tomato soup simmered with fresh tomatoes and cream, topped with crispy fried goat cheese wonton dumplings. A restaurant-worthy bowl with serious wow factor.