Our Recipes

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Looking for supper, something sweet, or a little Louisiana flavor? Pick a spot below, or scroll for every recipe.

Dinner & Main Dishes · Louisiana & Cajun · Desserts & Baking · Appetizers & Game Day

From Joy’s Louisiana kitchen

Come find something good.

Looking for supper, something sweet, or a little Louisiana flavor? Pull up a chair. Let’s open the recipe box.

A few good places to start

23 results · featured first

At the table this season

Game day. Full plates.
Good company.

Football season around here isn’t just a sport—it’s a full-blown event. Start with a snack, make a plate, and leave room for something sweet.

Fried Feta Stuffed Olives ↗Smoked Brisket Salad ↗5 Louisiana Game-Day Recipes ↗

Free from my Louisiana kitchen

Louisiana Gumbo, Two Ways

Make the big pot! My traditional chicken-and-sausage gumbo and Tony’s Instant Roux shortcut, with the seasonings I use, flexible okra and a little wisdom for saving some for later.

Download My Free Gumbo Booklet

Free PDF · 4 pages · No signup or purchase required.

More supper ideas? Explore Easy Southern Suppers — $10.

A Bayou Belle signature

From scratch
or shortcut?

Some days you’re making it all. Some days a ready-made pie crust is doing its part. There’s room for both at this table.

Make the tzatziki yourself, or use Joy’s shortcut: buy it ready-made. Her Apple Crumble Pie puts a store-bought crust to work, too.

Make it or buy it: tzatziki

From scratch

Cool, creamy, and just enough Cajun to keep it interesting.

  • 2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp grated cucumber (strain well—then strain again)
  • Fresh dill, to taste
  • 1/2–1 tsp Slap Ya Mama white pepper blend
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 1/2 tsp vinegar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Chill for a few hours—or overnight—to let the flavors develop.

Shortcut

Buy ready-made tzatziki at the store and serve it alongside your chicken pitas. Follow the package directions for keeping and serving it.

A note from Joy: I have a hard time finding it here! The last few times I’ve used Cedar’s. Use what you can find and enjoy—no particular brand required.

Read the original Summer Eatin’ story and chicken-pita recipe ↗

More from the kitchen

The stories belong here, too.

My first homemade baconA kitchen diary, a little smoke, and a first try.Summer Eatin’Chicken pitas, pretty sides, and a table full of ideas.
Cooking, Desserts & Baking Joy Monnerjahn Cooking, Desserts & Baking Joy Monnerjahn

White Chocolate Bread pudding with White Chocolate Sauce

Rich, decadent, and absolutely unapologetic—this White Chocolate Bread Pudding is pure Southern indulgence. Soft, custardy bread pudding baked to perfection, then drenched in a warm white chocolate sauce that should probably come with a warning label. It’s the kind of dessert you make when you’re not counting calories, just blessings… and maybe seconds. 🤍🍞🍫

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Cooking, Desserts & Baking Joy Monnerjahn Cooking, Desserts & Baking Joy Monnerjahn

Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars

These Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars are what happen when two Southern favorites decide to stop competing and start collaborating. Spiced, moist carrot cake layered with rich, creamy cheesecake and baked into easy-to-slice bars that disappear faster than you can say just one more bite. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any day that needs a little extra sweetness and sass. 🥕🍰

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