Country@Heart Dinner Diaries
Tasso: America’s Great Unknown Secret Ingredient
By Tim H. Martin
So, what is tasso? I believe it’s the best-kept secret ingredient in all of American food culture. Unless you’re from the Cajun Country of southern Louisiana, you’ve probably never heard of it — even my spell-checker... READ MORE
Gator Tail Jambalaya
By Tim H. Martin
Traditionally, jambalaya is made with ham and other leftovers, but is wonderful with a variety of meats and your favorite ingredients. Try swapping out items in this recipe with things such as scallops, crawfish, duck, squirrel, pheasant, r... READ MORE
Cajun-fried Largemouth Bass
By Tim H. Martin
Catch and Release, Into Hot Grease! Ingredients and Directions: In a lidded container, combine 1/4 cup hot sauce with 1 cup buttermilk. Soak up to a dozen hand-sized bass fillets in the liquid for a minimum of two hours, preferably overnigh... READ MORE
Crescent City Shrimp Creole
By Tim H. Martin
New Orleans’ prodigal son re-creates signature dish. — Recipe by Tim H. Martin Preliminary Directions and Ingredients: First, peel and devein 2 1/4 pounds raw shrimp. Also, finely chop 1⁄4 cup green onions (green stems fo... READ MORE
Buckmasters Big Red Chili
By Tim H. Martin
Winner of 2010 Buckmasters Cook-off has layers of sausage, beef, spices and one not-so-secret ingredient. Ingredients: • 2 lbs. ground pork sausage (I use 1 lb. Jimmy Dean Sage & 1 lb. Jimmy Dean Hot) • 1 1/2 lbs. beef stew m... READ MORE