Several nights each week, someone on one side or the other of our families will start a text thread, with pictures and information about what's for dinner. No surprise, everyone in our families really enjoys food! It's a really nice, and easy, way to stay in touch even on the busiest of days, and we end up exchanging recipes.

This week I'm starting with an easy dish of shrimp cooked in a vodka sauce; I'll definitely serve it over spaghetti or angelhair pasta. Next up, a Cajun-spice catfish dish that's served over a bed of wilted greens; you'll definitely find additional uses for the rub. And finally, a grilled chicken dish that showcases earthy, mildly hot guajillo chiles in the marinade. The chef who created the recipe says she doesn't soak the chiles before blending, because she likes to keep a little texture in the chiles, adding flavor from the grill.

Enjoy the recipes, stay safe and healthy, and, as always, let me know what's on your mind.

Best regards,

Susan Ford, Publisher and Editorial Director
Louisiana Kitchen & Culture

P.S. Use the link at the bottom to forward these recipes to family & friends.

Last week's recipes:

 • Salmon Croquettes • Corn and Shrimp Chowder • Garlic Shrimp with Spaghetti

Saucy Shrimp alla Vodka

Lidey Hueck has a new cookbook out titled "Cooking in Real Life" that is full of recipes designed to take the fuss out of getting dinner on the table. This one takes inspration from perennial favorite Penne alla Vodka, and in fact, I'll undoubtedly serve it over hot cooked spaghetti.

Cajun-Spiced Catfish Fillets

Catfish is widely available and in this presentation, it's rubbed with a handful of spices and served over a bed of baby spinach or arugula dressed in a bacony dressing spiked with garlic, vinegar, and lemon juice. 

Grilled Guajillo Chicken

I love to grill and am looking forward to diving into this new cookbook: Asada by Bricia Lopez. It's got a huge selection, and the chef recommends sides and salsa for lots of the main dishes. This chicken is going on our grill later this week,.