I'm adopted and am so glad my bio Mom decided to give birth to me in New Orleans. She is from Indiana. I grew up in a small town west of New Orleans called New Iberia on a dairy farm. Growing our own food and cooking is a way of life for us in Cajun country. I have several favorite things to cook: Crawfish etoufee, stuffed merliton and merliton bread. Red beans , sausage and rice. And of course gumbo. Using fresh herbs I grew in my garden. When family and friends gather for a holiday or party and everyone pitches in to help out. Cooking a dish using several recipes and pulling together what I like and it turns out good. Finally mastered Roux with help from a friend. I've tried but just can't cook roux, so I buy the jar roux. Mixing Italian and Mexican seasoning in a chicken spaghetti.