When you peruse the menu at Tricky Fish, you’ll notice that our menu is an infusion of traditional, Southern-style cooking, Cajun cuisine, and gourmet, scratch kitchen fare all rolled into one! And you may have noticed the term “Andouille sausage” on several menu items and thought….what exactly is Andouille sausage?!
If you’ve never had Andouille sausage or never cooked with it at home, you’re missing out! Read on as Tricky Fish, home of the best food in Richardson, explains a little history for you foodies on this beautiful Friday in North Texas:
Give Credit to the French
In its very earliest forms, Andouille sausage can find its roots with French cuisine. The French had a rich history in sausage making – or charcuterie as it was called - prior to entering the New World.
French immigrants then headed off to Canada and the area now known as Louisiana, and their French cuisine quickly became infused with local cultures. The result: the Creole and Cajun cuisine we have today! Creole cuisine – or Louisiana’s “city food” is a melting pot of various cultures, including French, German, Native American, and Caribbean flavors all united as one. Cajun cuisine – or “country food” – originated with Arcadian immigrants from Canada with French roots who settled in the backcountry. Both types of cuisine incorporate the delicious flavors of Andouille into their dishes.
What is Andouille exactly?
Andouille is known for its spice! Originally, Andouille sausage was made as a way to use up each and every part of the pig, leaving nothing to waste. Cajun settlers didn’t have much and would mix the pig meat with spices, seasonings, onion, and wine to create the vibrant flavors of the sausage. The meat is smoked prior to stuffing the casing, then smoked again once stuffed for added intensity. Today, Tricky Fish gets our Andouille from Syracuse Sausage, prepared with only the highest quality ingredients for the best food in Richardson and Fort Worth.
Want to visit the Andouille Capital of the World?
Yes, it’s a thing. If you’re really into Andouille, then you might mark your calendar to join the folks of LaPlace, Louisiana for their annual Andouille Festival, showcasing the best of this delicious smoked sausage. The town was given the title of “Andouille Capital of the World” in the 1970s by the governor of Louisiana.
How Can I Cook with Andouille Sausage at Home?
If you’re making Cajun cuisine and want to step it up a notch, grab some Andouille! Can’t find it at the store? Don’t worry. Try another smoked sausage with Cajun spices or even a Spanish chorizo will work. Andouille is a rather dry sausage, so the drier the sausage, the better. Andouille goes great with jambalaya and gumbo, just to name a few dishes.
Ready to enjoy delicious Andouille sausage with no prep required?! Join us at Tricky Fish – home of the best food in Richardson or Fort Worth - today! Cajun Andouille sausage is served up with our Kitchen Sink Gumbo, among other dishes. Just don’t forget to order a glass of craft beer to wash it down!