Cajun Christmas Tradition

My family has a an unusual yet awsome Christmas Eve tradition: Cajun Gumbo.

Although we only lived there a few years, my family has a feisty connection to America's creole capital, New Orleans. Already a family that lives largely through cooking and good food, we (mostly my dad who is the household chef) were shaped by the unique, powerful, spicy, and historic flavors of Cajun and creole cooking.

Having moved to Portland we still keep the Southern spirit alive through frequent Cajun meals like jambalaya, red beans and rice, fried catfish, crawfish etouffee, and of course gumbo. Every Christmas Eve we have friends and stragglers over for a laid back gumbo party, which tends to be a hit (occasionally more so than the Christmas day ham).

Now that I am based in L.A. I have serious cravings for the flavors of New Orleans, and after a little searching I have found perhaps one of the most authentic Cajun joints in town. Maybe it won't become your Christmas favorite, but it may still become an L.A. favorite.

The Original Farmer's Market

6333 West Third Street #312

Los Angeles, CA 90036

http://www.thegumbopotla.com/index1.html

The Gumbo Pot is located at the Los Angeles Farmer's Market, one of my favorite eating spots in the city (more to come on that). It is a hoppin' stall connected to courtyard seating with a vibrant and simple Cajun menu. Although pretty much everything they whip out of the kitchen boasts authenticity, some standouts are the variety of Po' Boy sandwiches, Muffelata, red beans and rice, and of course the gumbo. I'm a personal fan of the traditional seafood gumbo, but the gumbo ya ya with andouille sausage and chicken is killer as well. The dishes come with the must have cornbread and your choice of side including salad, sweet potato chips and collard greens. If you have room after your hearty meal stick around for a warm beignet (french bread doughnut with powdered sugar), you won't regret it.

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