Cajun Spices

Cajun cuisine is very popular worldwide and it is dominated by the use of a blend of spices and herbs in the dishes. Cajun spices are what gives this cuisine its characteristic spicy flavor. The staple ingredients of Cajun cuisine consist of rice, corn, beans, tomatoes, onions, sassafras, sugarcane, sweet potatoes and meat along with Cajun spices. One of the most important ingredient in a classic Cajun dish called crawfish boil is crawfish or mud bug which still remains the symbol of authentic Cajun cooking. To any true blue Cajun chef, the chief ingredient of Cajun cuisine is the holy trinity of onion, bell pepper and celery with liberal use of spices like cayenne pepper, bay leaf and thyme. Cajun cuisine has evolved along the years, but it has always remained true to its roots, using locally grown fresh produce with Cajun spices.

Cajun Spice History

The history of Cajun spices in very interesting and as we know, the culture of a place has a very important role in the evolution of any cuisine. This is also true in the case of Cajun spices. Acadian refugees who were driven out of Nova Scotia in the late 1700s were first sent to Maryland and later settled in Louisiana. There they attempted to reunite with families that were torn apart and learned to adapt from their new surroundings. They began a new method of cooking that involved the use of fresh produce with wild game and lots of spices. The early Cajun dishes all used the concept of one pot cooking where the entire meal was prepared in a single pot. Some popular Cajun food recipes that use these spices are jambalaya, gumbos, friscassees and grillades.

Cajun Spice Ingredients

Cajun spices are a blend of various spices that are mixed in different proportions. You can find it in your local supermarket named as Cajun seasoning mix. These spices are a very important ingredient when you are preparing a traditional Cajun dish. Although there are many different variations of Cajun spice blends, but all the recipes include all or some of these ingredients.

• Garlic powder
• Ground cumin
• Cayenne pepper
• Dried thyme herb
• Salt
• Paprika
• Dry mustard
• Onion powder
• Dried basil
• Cardamom
• Dried oregano
• Black pepper
• File powder
• Caraway seeds
• White pepper
• Ground cloves
• Dried sage
• Ground coriander

All or some of these spices are mixed together to make Cajun spice blends. Cayenne pepper and paprika are added to the Cajun spice blend, not only for its heat but also to give a distinctive red color to the dishes. Dried basil adds a bit of subtle sweetness and thyme adds a nutty flavor to the spice blend. Onion powder and garlic powder are made by crushing dehydrated onions and garlic in a grinder to a fine powder and are very essential Cajun spice ingredients. You can make your own Cajun spice blend by mixing together some or all the above ingredients.

Cajun Spice Substitute

If Cajun spices are not available in your local supermarket, then you need a substitute. The best substitute for Cajun spice is to make your own blend by mixing certain spices together. Just grind together, some whole black peppercorns with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried parsley, cayenne pepper and dried oregano. This Cajun spice blend should be stored in an air tight container in a cool dark place and it stays well up to 6 months. The most important factor to remember while making your own Cajun spice blends is to make sure that you use at least three to four spices that are originally in the Cajun spice blend.

Cajun spices are essential if you are cooking an authentic Cajun dish. Cajun cuisine is quite simple and rustic and it is good old-fashioned home cooking, without the use of fancy wines or expensive cheeses.