Cajun cuisine began when French settlers moved south to Louisiana and adapted their cooking to the local ingredients, particularly seafood, wild vegetables and herbs. Simplicity is at the heart of this culinary tradition with slow-cooked meats and plenty of rice to soak up the stock; fast-fried, spicy blackened fish; and warming fruit desserts. Creole cuisine contributes a love of black and white peppercorns to add extra spice to stews, piquant sauces and bisques. From Gumbo and Jambalaya to Dirty Rice and Bread Pudding the recipes in this collection are sure to inspire you to try authentic Cajun cooking from your own kitchen.