{"id":814445,"date":"2024-12-24T01:27:45","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T07:27:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/24\/cook-this-3-christmas-recipes-from-bayou-including-crab-spinach-and-artichoke-dip\/"},"modified":"2024-12-24T01:27:45","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T07:27:45","slug":"cook-this-3-christmas-recipes-from-bayou-including-crab-spinach-and-artichoke-dip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/24\/cook-this-3-christmas-recipes-from-bayou-including-crab-spinach-and-artichoke-dip\/","title":{"rendered":"Cook This: 3 Christmas recipes from Bayou, including crab, spinach and artichoke dip"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Recipes <\/p>\n<article aria-labelledby=\"articleTitle\" data-wcm-id=\"d898d240-6eb1-44b7-8382-796987618e80\">\n<header aria-label=\"Beginning of Article\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Make Melissa Martin&#8217;s crab, spinach and artichoke dip, turnip gratin and fried oyster, radicchio and grapefruit salad for the holidays<\/p>\n<p><span> Get the latest from Laura Brehaut straight to your inbox <\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span>Published Dec 13, 2024<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span>Last updated Dec 13, 2024<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span>11 minute read<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=puO77m4AyJvTwh54Leskfw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=ZlXnwXpl7u6m8wO7hNyLdA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=myXnqe2FAz-e1otqbirh2A, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=26g_HnvvRGmH2-bIQWJn7Q 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=LKSKvLlHlbvIU8fbt9O4Kw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=7A-1zgMXvLpfN1jztHUFvA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=3q6JVABpFC5lWceRuYUv1w, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=4owA88_x9yU1eMSVo87GDw 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=GgcIm5odjK_gh3cqtaguAg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=R_ZidlUEQE7pTld9tD8zog 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"recipes Clockwise from left: chef Melissa Martin, lump crab, spinach and artichoke dip, turnip gratin and fried oyster, radicchio and grapefruit salad\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=vtBK3btxWuP_Q3ZHmwe4QA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=vtBK3btxWuP_Q3ZHmwe4QA,\n                    https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayouFeat.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;sig=aWq8562ZmaK8pH_lnQkxmg 2x\" height=\"750\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span>Clockwise from left: chef Melissa Martin, lump crab, spinach and artichoke dip, turnip gratin and fried oyster, radicchio and grapefruit salad. PHOTOS BY DENNY CULBERT<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<section>\n<p data-async>Our cookbook of the week is <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Bayou\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/Bayou-Feasting-Through-Seasons-Cajun\/dp\/1648291406?crid=356G0WYC8L0A3&#038;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KS8ITLmgD22MS5PLhWcerKYbcdk7VEAVyRqYUia_Cg8NzXwv8MvM1tc2PF-mmBmIpyLoI5M0tiML3jHi83yAs0UqEKe_cc8gTEg89cwbVogJlXoJu7BncVfj6ZF2gFP9aoioor1m7f9QgOycby5A82xYCoGYR37Zelx2DFwEPcMyc7vvwBKCh81KqB0waKxE6xKX3im5P-ejJgpqT9z8CZXKDCBpwx7obV2komovRq8.NtRxj0mrpsTTHxRn9N4YNCpan_xYPWfTNUzEqtYYla8&#038;dib_tag=se&#038;keywords=bayou&#038;qid=1732315349&#038;s=books&#038;sprefix=bayou%2Cstripbooks%2C88&#038;sr=1-1&#038;linkCode=ll1&#038;tag=cook-this-12-24-20&#038;linkId=bb82e18f8bba20831c48b5fd1c62b5ae&#038;language=en_CA&#038;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/Bayou-Feasting-Through-Seasons-Cajun\/dp\/1648291406?crid=356G0WYC8L0A3&#038;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KS8ITLmgD22MS5PLhWcerKYbcdk7VEAVyRqYUia_Cg8NzXwv8MvM1tc2PF-mmBmIpyLoI5M0tiML3jHi83yAs0UqEKe_cc8gTEg89cwbVogJlXoJu7BncVfj6ZF2gFP9aoioor1m7f9QgOycby5A82xYCoGYR37Zelx2DFwEPcMyc7vvwBKCh81KqB0waKxE6xKX3im5P-ejJgpqT9z8CZXKDCBpwx7obV2komovRq8.NtRxj0mrpsTTHxRn9N4YNCpan_xYPWfTNUzEqtYYla8&#038;dib_tag=se&#038;keywords=bayou&#038;qid=1732315349&#038;s=books&#038;sprefix=bayou%2Cstripbooks%2C88&#038;sr=1-1&#038;linkCode=ll1&#038;tag=cook-this-12-24-20&#038;linkId=bb82e18f8bba20831c48b5fd1c62b5ae&#038;language=en_CA&#038;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" target=\"_blank\">Bayou<\/a> by chef Melissa Martin, owner of Mosquito Supper Club, a Cajun restaurant in New Orleans.<\/p>\n<p data-async><strong>Jump to the recipes:<\/strong> <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"lump crab, spinach and artichoke dip\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"http:\/\/nationalpost.com\/#artichoke-dip\">lump crab, spinach and artichoke dip<\/a>, <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"turnip gratin\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"http:\/\/nationalpost.com\/#turnip-gratin\">turnip gratin<\/a> and <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"fried oyster, radicchio and grapefruit salad\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"http:\/\/nationalpost.com\/#grapefruit-salad\">fried oyster, radicchio and grapefruit salad<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-async>There\u2019s a reassuring rhythm to the holidays in South Louisiana that Melissa Martin loves. Christmas never changes on the bayou, where she was born and raised in the small fishing community of Chauvin. \u201cEvery year, we ask my mom, \u2018Can we do Italian Christmas? Let\u2019s have a new theme this year,&#8217;\u201d says the James Beard Award-winning author and chef-owner of <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Mosquito Supper Club\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/www.mosquitosupperclub.com\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mosquitosupperclub.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Mosquito Supper Club<\/a>, a Cajun restaurant in New Orleans. \u201cBut we don\u2019t \u2014 it\u2019s like blasphemy. And so, I like the consistency.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-aqa=\"identity-sign-in\" data-async id=\"article-block\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"recipes National Post\" height=\"37\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/17.6.4\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-np-new.svg\" width=\"280\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.<\/li>\n<li>Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.<\/li>\n<li>National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.<\/li>\n<li>Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.<\/li>\n<li>National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p data-async>Martin\u2019s parents have lived in the same house for 56 years, where they raised her and her five siblings. Over the holidays, the street fills up with kids as it did when Martin was growing up, reading the <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Cajun Night Before Christmas\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/Cajun-Night-Before-Christmas-Anniversary\/dp\/1455627143?&#038;linkCode=ll1&#038;tag=cook-this-12-24-20&#038;linkId=82b5c8209c8b9c309fe1dde4d4d11f6a&#038;language=en_CA&#038;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/Cajun-Night-Before-Christmas-Anniversary\/dp\/1455627143?&#038;linkCode=ll1&#038;tag=cook-this-12-24-20&#038;linkId=82b5c8209c8b9c309fe1dde4d4d11f6a&#038;language=en_CA&#038;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" target=\"_blank\">Cajun Night Before Christmas<\/a>, featuring friendly alligators instead of reindeer. This energetic atmosphere reminds her that she was a child there once and that life is moving on.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen my mom says grace \u2014 which always makes us cry \u2014 she talks about everyone we lost, and we give thanks in a certain way. And then there\u2019s a realization that if life works the way that it\u2019s supposed to, we will lose our parents one day. And we are all getting older, so there\u2019s that sort of bittersweetness of it. But you gather together, eat the same food, eat too much pie, and sing karaoke or play games or whatever else we do to entertain ourselves, and it\u2019s a beautiful time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In her second cookbook, Bayou (Artisan, 2024), Martin documents the seasons of life in South Louisiana and the dishes that mark the moments large and small, from the feasting of Mardi Gras to the brightness of spring. \u201cI wanted a book based on feelings, nuance and simplicity,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p data-async>Martin titled the chapter devoted to Christmas and New Year\u2019s Love, and she believes that giving and sharing food for the holidays is an expression of it, whether a <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"spinach and artichoke dip\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"http:\/\/nationalpost.com\/#artichoke-dip\">spinach and artichoke dip<\/a> (with or without crabmeat) or <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"fried oysters in a fresh radicchio and grapefruit salad\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"http:\/\/nationalpost.com\/#grapefruit-salad\">fried oysters in a fresh radicchio and grapefruit salad<\/a>. \u201cAll the dishes that come together to make a holiday meal are acts of love. What matters is that you put love into the act of preparing them and that you share them with people you love.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-async>Bayou is more personal and a \u201cbit more ephemeral\u201d than Martin\u2019s James Beard Award-winning cookbook debut, <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Mosquito Supper Club\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/life\/food\/in-mosquito-supper-club-chef-melissa-m-martin-celebrates-cajun-traditions-from-the-bayou\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/life\/food\/in-mosquito-supper-club-chef-melissa-m-martin-celebrates-cajun-traditions-from-the-bayou\" target=\"_blank\">Mosquito Supper Club<\/a> (Artisan, 2020). In her first book, she shared the Cajun way of life and expressed the importance of the seafood industry, which is essential to her work at the restaurant. In Bayou, Martin conveys \u201cthe subtle things that turn the clock.\u201d Driving past the sugarcane trucks on her way to her parents\u2019 house, some of the load leaving a trail on the road, boats camouflaged by duck blinds during hunting season and the Mardi Gras parades her parents took her to every year, which are among her \u201ccore memories.\u201d These details ground you in the place you grew up, says Martin. In Bayou, she translated the feelings and nostalgia they evoke into essays, stories and remembrances.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div aria-labelledby=\"CookThis7296388399536172788431423690244096\" data-account-id=\"b9d3df2fccd108b5eff3c44f573b2cd6\" data-aqa=\"widget-newsletter\" data-newsletter=\"single\" data-newsletter-component data-target-list=\"Cook_This\" data-widget=\"newsletter\">\n<p>By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<figure data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=nYgtm181TNuoli9hbk1WBg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=OkSdiKBvN-X4Qr27iO3Y3A 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=onY2JolEM6bXS7LawcUrgQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=AWNfc79wf00KTsAavfwaVQ 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=8u7deGpzqGqevTm673wHMg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=t6scoW-GGkls7yjCKTtFKw 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=MoTzG3DGGejeqC0t87aWlQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=2Psn2GFoZWIbP8wEnUEO2A 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=RLM7O05kM18gI-Wg5UX-jg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=MyPC4-NIpyIKcBSkyhtczw 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"recipes Bayou by Melissa Martin book cover\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=_6OSBoeS-62pmu9q0OXItg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=_6OSBoeS-62pmu9q0OXItg,\n                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/bayou2DCoverInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;sig=I9RV4A1GsZ41oBcLB8KSMg 2x\" height=\"1323\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span> Bayou is chef Melissa Martin\u2019s second cookbook celebrating Cajun food culture.<\/span> <span>Photo by Artisan Books<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Martin feels she \u201ctook a leap\u201d in organizing the book by themes such as Abundance, Simplicity, and Warmth instead of quintessential bayou ingredients such as shrimp, crawfish and crab. As she wrote throughout the years, distinctive themes naturally emerged \u2014 from the epiphany, when Louisianans eat king cake, to New Year\u2019s Eve. Martin recalls her essay on onions from the Resilience chapter, which was 7,000 words before her editor trimmed it down to 300. \u201cI could write a whole book on onions. I love this relationship between everything that happens in the natural world that mirrors the emotional world and our journey as humans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-async>The ideal onion grows <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"13 leaves\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/www.finegardening.com\/project-guides\/fruits-and-vegetables\/the-secret-to-big-homegrown-onions\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finegardening.com\/project-guides\/fruits-and-vegetables\/the-secret-to-big-homegrown-onions\" target=\"_blank\">13 leaves<\/a>. When they topple and begin to dry, it\u2019s a sign that the onion is ready to be harvested and cured for two to three weeks. \u201cOnly then it\u2019s ready for its purpose.\u201d Martin recounts that in some Italian villages, a new batch of balsamic vinegar marks births, which ages over a person\u2019s lifetime. \u201cI love when the natural world shows us everything we need to know about what it\u2019s like to survive a life. I feel like all the answers are around us at all times, but we make it complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>In Mosquito Supper Club, Martin even educated her mother about the history of the Cajun dishes she\u2019s been cooking for decades. Cajuns tend to think they created everything, says Martin. As in her first book, she set out to give credit where it\u2019s due. For example, andouille is from Germany, boudin noir and roux are from France, and okra is from Ethiopia, Eritrea and eastern Sudan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe did not invent hot sauce,\u201d says Martin, laughing. \u201cIt\u2019s important to put our culture in the world \u2014 connected to the world around (us). But also show it as a sophisticated culture. Whenever I drop in in places like the Basque Country or little towns in France, I think our culture is just as sophisticated as these cultures, although it\u2019s been portrayed differently in the media, movies and books. But it\u2019s a very sophisticated, evolved culture for such a short amount of time (with) very distinct flavours. I had a soup in Cadaqu\u00e9s on the Mediterranean coast of Spain that tasted exactly like a gumbo. But when I asked these people, \u2018Have you ever had gumbo?\u2019 They said, \u2018No, we don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about.\u2019 And so, you\u2019re having a conversation across the Atlantic you don\u2019t even know you\u2019re having.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Martin has a collection of old Cajun cookbooks from fairs and churches, which don\u2019t include much technique. She says she\u2019s not reinventing the wheel with her recipes but sharing what she knows in the hope that readers will apply the techniques to make dishes their own. Whether through her restaurant or cookbooks, Martin considers herself a curator, passionate about documenting Cajun culture and cuisine, and endlessly inspired by the bayou.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt still is an Eden of resources. It\u2019s just been battered, but it is. It\u2019s an Eden of resources. It\u2019s a sustainable ecosystem that we\u2019re going to lose. But right now, there\u2019s still so much beauty in it,\u201d says Martin. \u201c(It\u2019s) 30, 40 per cent of what it used to be. It\u2019s been stripped almost bare, but it\u2019s still there, and it\u2019s still working. And how long do we have left? I don\u2019t know, but to keep sharing it and to keep expressing the feelings it evokes in me throughout a year is, I guess, that\u2019s just my art.\u201d<\/p>\n<section aria-labelledby=\"moreTopicLabel4959092694882381800818450488098816\" data-aqa=\"embed-more-topic\" data-carousel-component data-carousel-icon-button data-carousel-type=\"list\">\n<p>Recommended from Editorial<\/p>\n<ol data-carousel-slide-list tabindex=\"0\">\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"data_source\": \"data_source\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"widget_title\": \"widget_title\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"target_article_title\": \"target_article_title\", \"target_article_id\": \"target_article_id\", \"target_article_position\": \"target_article_position\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"widget-list\", \"data_source\": \"editorial\", \"anchor_text\": \"The best cookbooks of 2024, from the limitlessness of pasta to a world of cookies\", \"widget_title\": \"recommended-from-editorial\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/life\/food\/best-cookbooks-2024\", \"target_article_title\": \"The best cookbooks of 2024, from the limitlessness of pasta to a world of cookies\", \"target_article_id\": \"53e069d5-f773-481a-8a48-2b7632fe4a3d\", \"target_article_position\": \"0\", \"layout_section\": \"recommended-from-editorial\"}\" data-carousel-item data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/life\/food\/best-cookbooks-2024\"> <picture><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"recipes The best cookbooks of 2024.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lauraBrehaut_cookbooks2024.jpg?h=96&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=Gp46XB112sqkXHhaaBI2pQ\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lauraBrehaut_cookbooks2024.jpg?h=96&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=Gp46XB112sqkXHhaaBI2pQ, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lauraBrehaut_cookbooks2024.jpg?h=192&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=17Jqjmub3kmCPAncNtPe-A 2x,\n                                             https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lauraBrehaut_cookbooks2024.jpg?h=288&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=UUoTLoFq1TN6XdrIGZisGg 3x\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"96\"><\/picture>\n<p><span>The best cookbooks of 2024, from the limitlessness of pasta to a world of cookies<\/span><\/p>\n<p> <\/a><\/li>\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"data_source\": \"data_source\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"widget_title\": \"widget_title\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"target_article_title\": \"target_article_title\", \"target_article_id\": \"target_article_id\", \"target_article_position\": \"target_article_position\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"widget-list\", \"data_source\": \"editorial\", \"anchor_text\": \"Cook This: 3 holiday baking recipes from Nature&#038;#39s Candy, including Welsh cakes\", \"widget_title\": \"recommended-from-editorial\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/life\/food\/holiday-baking-recipes-natures-candy\", \"target_article_title\": \"Cook This: 3 holiday baking recipes from Nature&#038;#39s Candy, including Welsh cakes\", \"target_article_id\": \"d56283a3-2484-45a4-aa24-e5880b34862a\", \"target_article_position\": \"1\", \"layout_section\": \"recommended-from-editorial\"}\" data-carousel-item data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/life\/food\/holiday-baking-recipes-natures-candy\"> <picture><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"recipes Clockwise from top left: Toronto-based author, recipe developer and cooking teacher Camilla Wynne, mendiant shortbread, Welsh cakes and stollen pound cake. 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<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"artichoke-dip\">LUMP CRAB, SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP<\/h2>\n<figure data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=h8CUO8SkFeyF8webcMOtaQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=DxCqzax8KRLMvJjCaJ1X3w 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=akcMQgG9LlJWI9CeLULxew, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=19oO6VFEjynog9yDCzy-bQ 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=LzbQAl6Ipd5f67eJX3rXtw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=CRpziLmiVVy-nl6FtRJrUA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=4xbXfCjtR7vt-bQaz5KLFQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=t8RA2UsFoVfUUZwBRTlLJA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=K5rfBQsIyFIdcy5MQ3VECw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=P8U1uMtRuwVUZy88vMcRvA 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"recipes Lump crab, spinach and artichoke dip\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=ht1yMGckavBumPjB4iPu9Q\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=ht1yMGckavBumPjB4iPu9Q,\n                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lumpCrabSpinachArtichokeDipInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;sig=9-md3gDumDMrM-UBN-WZ0A 2x\" height=\"1500\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span> \u201cThe holidays call for special dishes, and adding jumbo lump crab to any dish signals something special,\u201d Melissa Martin says of her lump crab spinach and artichoke dip.<\/span> <span>Photo by Denny Culbert<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Serves:<\/strong> 6 as a snack<\/p>\n<p>2 tbsp unsalted butter<br \/> 1 tbsp \ufb01nely chopped garlic<br \/> 1 1\/4 tsp kosher salt<br \/> 1\/8 tsp red pepper \ufb02akes<br \/> 8 oz (225 g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped into 2-inch (5-cm) square pieces<br \/> 8.5 oz (240 g) frozen or canned artichoke hearts, drained<br \/> 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice<br \/> 1\/4 tsp cracked black pepper<br \/> 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, cut into small chunks<br \/> 1\/2 cup (120 mL) sour cream<br \/> 1 lb (455 g) jumbo lump crabmeat, picked clean of any shells<br \/> 1\/4 tsp cayenne pepper<br \/> 1\/8 tsp freshly grated nutmeg<br \/> Toast points, for serving<\/p>\n<h3>Step 1<\/h3>\n<p>Warm a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat for 1 minute, then add the butter. When it has melted, add the garlic, 1\/4 teaspoon of the salt and the red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until the garlic is fragrant and shows a little colour, about 2 minutes.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 2<\/h3>\n<p>Add the spinach a handful at a time and let it completely cook down, about 5 minutes. Once the spinach is wilted, add the artichokes, lemon juice, black pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and stir to combine. Add the cream cheese and stir continuously until melted. Add the sour cream and stir until completely combined; you should have a beautiful dip now.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<h3>Step 3<\/h3>\n<p>Remove from the heat and mix in the crabmeat, cayenne and nutmeg; stir until combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Transfer the dip to a heatproof serving dish that\u2019s the right size for dipping, and serve immediately with toast points.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"turnip-gratin\">TURNIP GRATIN<\/h2>\n<figure data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=Gj0iYUxZu5q1shoFAUuGnw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=MzeshN0UZM9NKiJXG-SMYw 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=lgv-Vs7T0_2-fDcm1ArNbg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=3BYE6lOECOlk1SWU5RGylw 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=FfFLDDYDX3ARRR42Ujd8Qw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=uIZGeZHcGdVOep4Y98HQnQ 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=4NilbHNTy4BUz2KpmaIitg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=TbqttchTcfcJWyKoVwAt1A 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=o3y6XFNTaiEprRuPW8QOaQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=NIDnE1l3Hp3KTEr2mheMSg 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"recipes Turnip gratin\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=TcLYUH2-ugaq8JyKZcruXg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=TcLYUH2-ugaq8JyKZcruXg,\n                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/turnipGratinInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;sig=ypANa7GY7gOc9F-6RYr3kA 2x\" height=\"1429\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span> Melissa Martin\u2019s turnip gratin was inspired by the Acadians, who favoured the root vegetable because it stored well over winter.<\/span> <span>Photo by Denny Culbert<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Serves:<\/strong> 8 as a side dish<\/p>\n<p>2 oz (60 g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes, plus more for the pan<br \/> 1 1\/2 lb (680 g) turnips, peeled and cut into 1\/2-inch-thick (1.3-cm) rounds<br \/> 2 tsp kosher salt<br \/> 1\/4 tsp ground white pepper<br \/> 1\/4 tsp mustard powder<br \/> 1\/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose \ufb02our<br \/> 2 cups (480 mL) whole milk<br \/> 4 oz (115 g) grated Swiss cheese or Gruy\u00e8re, plus 2 oz (60 g) for topping<br \/> 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus 3 to 5 sprigs<br \/> 1\/8 tsp cayenne pepper<br \/> Freshly grated nutmeg<\/p>\n<h3>Step 1<\/h3>\n<p>Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Butter a deep 8-inch (20-cm) round cast-iron pan or deep casserole dish.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 2<\/h3>\n<p>In a large bowl, season the turnips with the salt, white pepper and mustard powder. Arrange the turnips in layers in the prepared pan, spiralling them out from the bottom and layering until all the turnips are used.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 3<\/h3>\n<p>Warm a heavy-bottomed 4-quart (3.8-L) saucepan over medium heat for 2 minutes, then add the butter and flour simultaneously and cook, stirring continuously, for 2 to 3 minutes to make a blond roux. Slowly stream in the milk while whisking constantly and bringing the mixture to a simmer, then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the 4 ounces (115 g) grated cheese. Add the thyme leaves, cayenne, and a touch of nutmeg to the cheese mixture and stir well. Pour the mixture over the turnips in the pan.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<h3>Step 4<\/h3>\n<p>Place the pan on a rimmed sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining 2 ounces (60 g) of cheese evenly on top of the turnips, crown the gratin with the thyme sprigs, and return the pan to the oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes more, until the top is golden brown, the turnips are al dente (not mushy), and the liquid has been absorbed. Let the gratin sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"grapefruit-salad\">FRIED OYSTER, RADICCHIO AND GRAPEFRUIT SALAD<\/h2>\n<figure data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=6eW-oMRn0yfGQsB1YJTzCw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=93IUpfg0ISNLr4arzufo8g 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=j8J3GnhAF7UWaLqVvqQBNQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=6m6lWFE3rNWy4NYNJb_BVA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=RkgZhL8B1mxU2jWbScW9rw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=Jx_FNlnJ762a8G3N8EWLEw 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=YmyEU6ItYULfMHI9C6_enQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=JYSJrLN8Kl25Fb9KJu_Kww 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=pPUT3_01UAMB6HLP8bbUJA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=nDAcNqgf-NunMjdlOXnm-w 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"recipes Fried oyster, radicchio and grapefruit salad\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=OzyME3GiMPfo0iZs6D4jlA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=OzyME3GiMPfo0iZs6D4jlA,\n                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/friedOysterRadicchioGrapefruitSaladInline.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;sig=PYjvScL02jqgB_HVsvwbew 2x\" height=\"1500\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span> \u201cAlthough salads do not count as Cajun food, per se, chicories make the perfect dinner salad to serve with seafood,\u201d Melissa Martin says of her fried oyster, radicchio and grapefruit salad.<\/span> <span>Photo by Denny Culbert<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Serves:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n<p>Canola oil or peanut oil, for frying<br \/> 1 head radicchio (about 13 oz\/370 g)<br \/> 1 1\/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more as needed<br \/> 1\/4 tsp cracked black pepper, plus more as needed<br \/> 1 lb (455 g) Ruby Red grapefruits<br \/> 2 tbsp white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, plus more as needed<br \/> 1 tbsp \ufb01nely diced shallot<br \/> 2 tsp honey<br \/> 2 tbsp olive oil or canola oil, plus more as needed<br \/> 2 cups (320 g) cornmeal<br \/> Cayenne pepper<br \/> 20 to 24 oysters, shucked (reserve the liquor for another use)<br \/> Sea salt<br \/> 1 oz (30 g) Parmesan, shaved<\/p>\n<h3>Step 1<\/h3>\n<p>Prepare a tabletop fryer with canola oil and heat to 350F (180C). Alternately, fill a large heavy-bottomed pot with 4 inches (10 cm) of oil and heat the oil over medium-high heat to 350F (180C).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<h3>Step 2<\/h3>\n<p>Cut the radicchio into manageable bite-size pieces, then wash and dry. (If you have smaller radicchios, you can leave them whole or simply slice them in half.) Place in a salad bowl and season with the kosher salt and black pepper.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 3<\/h3>\n<p data-async>Use a sharp knife to segment the grapefruits over the bowl of radicchio so you capture all the juice (<a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"see below\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"http:\/\/nationalpost.com\/#segment-citrus\">see below<\/a>), letting the segments drop into the bowl. After you have released all the segments, squeeze the rind of the grapefruit over the bowl to get the last drops of juice. Gently mix the radicchio and fruit together with your hands or salad tongs.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 4<\/h3>\n<p>In a small bowl, mix together the vinegar, shallot and honey.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 5<\/h3>\n<p>Drizzle the olive oil over the radicchio. Add the vinegar mixture and gently toss with your hands or salad tongs.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 6<\/h3>\n<p>In a medium shallow bowl, season the cornmeal with a touch of cayenne and kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Dredge the oysters in the mixture.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 7<\/h3>\n<p>Working in batches of 10 to 12, add the oysters to the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes. You will hear whistling and popping noises when the oysters enter the oil; this will cease quickly as oysters cook quickly. When the oil quiets down, the oysters are near done.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<h3>Step 8<\/h3>\n<p>Use tongs to transfer the cooked oysters to a paper towel-lined plate or brown paper bags to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle them with a bit of sea salt and place on top of the salad immediately.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 9<\/h3>\n<p>Top the salad with the Parmesan. Taste and season with more sea salt and black pepper, if needed. If the salad seems too dry, add a little more olive oil and vinegar.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"segment-citrus\">HOW TO SEGMENT A GRAPEFRUIT OR OTHER CITRUS<\/h3>\n<p>Holding the grapefruit (or orange or lemon), slice off the stem end and then the opposite end to give you flat ends. Place one flat end down on the cutting board and, using a very sharp knife, begin to remove the peel and pith of the grapefruit. Do this by carefully running your knife down the grapefruit, following the curve, and finding the sweet spot between the flesh and the pith. You should be able to release all the flesh with eight peelings. Take your time when you do this.<\/p>\n<p>Now hold the grapefruit in your hand and use a very sharp paring knife. I cannot express how important sharp is; if you do not have a sharp knife, you will mush the grapefruit instead of releasing the segments. There are natural lines between each segment, so bring the knife as close as possible to each line and carve down to the centre, releasing the segment. You will be cutting in a triangular fashion. Do all of this over a bowl so you capture the grapefruit juice as well.<\/p>\n<p data-async>Recipes and images excerpted from <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Bayou\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/Bayou-Feasting-Through-Seasons-Cajun\/dp\/1648291406?crid=356G0WYC8L0A3&#038;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KS8ITLmgD22MS5PLhWcerKYbcdk7VEAVyRqYUia_Cg8NzXwv8MvM1tc2PF-mmBmIpyLoI5M0tiML3jHi83yAs0UqEKe_cc8gTEg89cwbVogJlXoJu7BncVfj6ZF2gFP9aoioor1m7f9QgOycby5A82xYCoGYR37Zelx2DFwEPcMyc7vvwBKCh81KqB0waKxE6xKX3im5P-ejJgpqT9z8CZXKDCBpwx7obV2komovRq8.NtRxj0mrpsTTHxRn9N4YNCpan_xYPWfTNUzEqtYYla8&#038;dib_tag=se&#038;keywords=bayou&#038;qid=1732315349&#038;s=books&#038;sprefix=bayou%2Cstripbooks%2C88&#038;sr=1-1&#038;linkCode=ll1&#038;tag=cook-this-12-24-20&#038;linkId=bb82e18f8bba20831c48b5fd1c62b5ae&#038;language=en_CA&#038;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/Bayou-Feasting-Through-Seasons-Cajun\/dp\/1648291406?crid=356G0WYC8L0A3&#038;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KS8ITLmgD22MS5PLhWcerKYbcdk7VEAVyRqYUia_Cg8NzXwv8MvM1tc2PF-mmBmIpyLoI5M0tiML3jHi83yAs0UqEKe_cc8gTEg89cwbVogJlXoJu7BncVfj6ZF2gFP9aoioor1m7f9QgOycby5A82xYCoGYR37Zelx2DFwEPcMyc7vvwBKCh81KqB0waKxE6xKX3im5P-ejJgpqT9z8CZXKDCBpwx7obV2komovRq8.NtRxj0mrpsTTHxRn9N4YNCpan_xYPWfTNUzEqtYYla8&#038;dib_tag=se&#038;keywords=bayou&#038;qid=1732315349&#038;s=books&#038;sprefix=bayou%2Cstripbooks%2C88&#038;sr=1-1&#038;linkCode=ll1&#038;tag=cook-this-12-24-20&#038;linkId=bb82e18f8bba20831c48b5fd1c62b5ae&#038;language=en_CA&#038;ref_=as_li_ss_tl\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" target=\"_blank\">Bayou<\/a> by Melissa Martin (Artisan Books). Copyright \u00a92024.<\/p>\n<p><em>Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"nationalpost.com\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/\">nationalpost.com<\/a> and sign up for our cookbook and recipe newsletter, Cook This, <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"here\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/newsletters\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/newsletters\/\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div>\n<p><span> Get the latest from Laura Brehaut straight to your inbox <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nationalpost.com\/life\/food\/cajun-christmas-recipes-bayou\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recipes Make Melissa Martin&#8217;s crab, spinach and artichoke dip, turnip gratin and fried oyster, radicchio and grapefruit salad for the holidays Get the latest from Laura Brehaut straight to your inbox Published Dec 13, 2024 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated Dec 13, 2024 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 11 minute read Clockwise from left: chef Melissa Martin, lump crab, spinach and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":814446,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[555,30074],"tags":[131512],"class_list":{"0":"post-814445","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-christmas","8":"category-recipes","9":"tag-popular-recipes"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=814445"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814445\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/814446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=814445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=814445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=814445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}