Pawpaw said “real Sauce Piquant don’t have tomatoes.”
My Aunt Lois from Manchac threw a wooden spoon at him.
After 30 years in South Louisiana, I learned they’re both right. The REAL secret isn’t tomatoes. It’s a 22-minute roux so dark it looks like NCIS coffee.
I’m Tina, Certified Aromatherapist since 2013. But in my kitchen, I’m just NanaTee. This is Pawpaw’s Sauce Piquant. The one I make when everybody says “Nana, make it burn.”
NANATEE’S AUTHENTIC SAUCE PIQUANT - FULL RECIPE
**Prep Time:** 15 min | **Cook Time:** 1 hr 10 min |
**Serves:** 6 hungry Cajuns
**INGREDIENTS:**
1. 1 cup all-purpose flour
2. 1 cup vegetable oil
3. 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs OR 1 lb alligator meat, cut in 2-inch chunks
4. 1 large onion, chopped
5. 1 green bell pepper, chopped
6. 2 stalks celery, chopped
7. 4 cloves garlic, minced
8. 6 cups chicken stock
9. 2 tbsp Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning
10. 1 tbsp cayenne pepper - or less if great-grandma is eating
11. 2 bay leaves
12. 1 tsp dried thyme
13. 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
14. 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
15. Salt + black pepper to taste
16. Cooked white rice, for serving
**PAWPAW’S 22-MINUTE ROUX - DO NOT SKIP THIS:**
1. Heat your cast iron pot on medium. Add oil + flour. Stir with a WOODEN spoon.
2. Start NCIS. Stir nonstop. No phone. No bathroom. Just stir.
3. By commercial break #3, your roux should be dark chocolate. 22 minutes. If it’s not, keep going.
4. If you see black specks, you burned it. Start over. I’ve burned 3. Pawpaw ate 1.
**THE REST:**
5. Add Trinity - onion, bell pepper, celery. Cook 8 min until soft. Smells like Louisiana. Don't feel like chopping today?
Nana's got you, Sha!
Keep Reading for a Time Saving Hack!
6. Add garlic. Cook 1 min. Don’t burn it or MawMaw will know.
7. Add chicken or gator. Brown 5 min. It won’t cook through. That’s okay.
8. Slowly pour in stock. Whisk so roux don’t lump. This is why you need a flat whisk.
9. Add Tony’s, cayenne, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper. Stir.
10. Bring to boil. Then LOW simmer for 45 min. Lid off. Stir every 10 min.
11. Last 5 min: Stir in green onions + parsley. Fish out bay leaves.
12. Taste. Add more Tony’s if Pawpaw dares you.
13. Serve over rice with something cold to drink. Cajun rule.
WHY TRUST MY ROUX?
I’ve set off 2 smoke alarms. I've had the trial and error so you don't have to!
This version works. Even during hurricane season when the power flickers.
NANATEE’S 5 KITCHEN TOOLS THAT MAKE PIQUANT EASY
These live on my stove. Not in a cabinet. Used 3x a week. Hurricane-approved.
**1. LODGE 5-QUART CAST IRON DUTCH OVEN**
Why it’s NanaTee approved: Holds heat like MawMaw held a grudge. Even cooking = no burnt spots in roux. Mine’s 15 years old. Seasoned with gumbo.
Shop it: [Here's the Link]
**2. TAFOND Stainless Steel Flat Whisk**
Why it’s NanaTee approved: Gets into pot corners. No roux lumps. Balloon whisks leave flour pockets. MawMaw would disown you.
Shop it: [Here's the Link]
**3. TONY CHACHERE’S CREOLE SEASONING**
Why it’s NanaTee approved: This IS Louisiana. I buy 3 at a time. Pawpaw puts it on popcorn. Grandkids put it on air.
Shop it: [Here's the Link]
**4. WOODEN ROUX SPOON 14-INCH**
Why it’s NanaTee approved: Long enough to keep your hand away from hot roux. Flat edge scrapes pot bottom. Metal scratches. Plastic melts. Aunt Lois' rule.
Shop it: [Here's the Link]
**5. CAJUN TWO-STEP HOLY TRINITY SEASONING BLEND**
Why it’s NanaTee approved: Dehydrated onion, bell pepper, celery. Saves time in a pinch and no crying over onions. Hurricane prep. Just don't feel like chopping today? It's ok, Sha.... Nana's got you!
Shop it: [Here's the Link]
**TOTAL KITCHEN SETUP:
Makes 50+ pots of Piquant. That’s $1.44 per family meal. Cheaper than Popeyes.
See every item in my real Cajun kitchen here:
NanaTee’s “Cajun Cooking Starter Kit → Here's the Link
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That keeps Pawpaw in Tony’s and me in cast iron. Merci, sha.
YOUR TURN
Tomatoes or no tomatoes in YOUR Piquant? Team Pawpaw or Team Aunt Lois? Fight me in the comments. Winner gets my cornbread recipe.
With love, a little cayenne, and a dark roux,
NanaTee
P.S. Pin this recipe for later. Your future self at 5pm will thank you.
Important Note:
Roux reaches 400°F. Will cause severe burns. Stir constantly. Keep kids + pets away from stove.
Add comment
Comments