Crayfish bisque, oysters Rockefeller, gumbo, blackened redfish, shrimp étouffée, jambalaya with andouille sausage—anyone who has had the pleasure of eating in New Orleans has his or her favorite dishes. In this book, Roy F. Guste presents a selection of choice recipes, from drinks to dessert, ranging from “Haute Creole” entrees like daube glacée to hearty red beans and rice.

A native of New Orleans and trained as a chef in France, Roy F. Guste approaches cooking with wisdom and zeal. He accompanies the recipes here with reminiscences, anecdotes, and stories of the recipes' origin that only a few true Louisianans could know. He has simplified the steps of some of the grander recipes and has tested the recipes using only four saucepans and a skillet, and, for utensils, a kitchen fork, a wooden spoon, a spatula, a small whisk, two knives, and a chopping board. Only one recipe requires a blender. The key to his method, he emphasizes, is simplicity and freshness of ingredients.

Mr. Guste has arranged the recipes under the headings of cocktails; appetizers; soups, bisques, and gumbo; fish and seafood; eggs and omelettes; chicken, duck, and squab; meat; rice and vegetable dishes; salads; vegetables; and desserts. The book is illustrated with elegant drawings of foods, utensils, and kitchens.