Tastes from Jazz Fest 2011 - New Orleans

Jazz Fest is much more than just a music festival. It serves equally as a food festival. Dozens of vendors have set up shop to sample their fine eats. This is much more than your typical hot dog, hamburger, turkey leg type of meals you will find at many festivals. Many unique and delicious items were served. Here is a sampling of some of my favorites. (Most dishes can be had for $3 to $6.)


Dish: Alligator Sauce Piquante
Vendor: Fireman Mike's Kitchen

A great stew filled with Alligator meat and Andouille Sausage. On a hot sunny day - this is probably not the best item to order - as it will light you up and bring on the sweat. Delicious. Lots of Cajun spices - very flavorful.








Dish: Spinach Artichoke Casserole
Vendor: Fireman Mike's Kitchen

Hope I don't lose to many man/mammal points for ordering a vegetable dish, but this was really damn good. A cross between creamed spinach and artichoke dip.








Dish: Crawfish Enchiladas
Vendor: Prejean's Restaurant (Lafayette, LA)


Maybe my favorite dish from the festival. Lots of cheese and crawfish. Man food.







Dish: Pheasant, Quail and Andouille Gumbo
Vendor: Prejean's Restaurant

This dish came in a close 2nd. Very unique flavor. Once again - hot stew on a hot day brought the sweat on - but this dish kicks butt. One of the best gumbo's I've ever had. Period.









Dish(s): Boudin and Boudin Balls
Vendor: Fireman Mike's Kitchen

Boudin just makes me happy. Boudin is a sausage/rice mixture in a sausage casing. Boudin Balls is the Boudin (without the casing) deep fried.




Dish: Key Lime Tart
Vendor: Mona's Cafe

Key Lime Pie is my favorite dessert. This did not disappoint. Many fine desserts were served - but hard to beat Key Lime anything.