Last Updated on September 12, 2025 by Jacqualyn

Let’s get one thing straight: if you ask anyone in our family what brings us together, the answer won’t be money, fame, or fancy vacations. It’s food. Plain and simple. And not just any food—we’re talking about rich, savory, memory-packed dishes that come from generations of love, laughter, and a whole lotta garlic. Welcome to the Best Louisiana Cookbook: the Bellavia Family Collection.

A Taste Of Tangipahoa: The Best Louisiana Cookbook

Northshore Louisiana Cuisine At Its Best

Growing up just 45 miles north of New Orleans in Tangipahoa Parish, I was raised on Northshore Louisiana cuisine dishes that could quiet a crowd and feed an army. Our meals were loud, flavorful, and made with heart. This cookbook is a tribute to that heritage—a slice of Northshore Louisiana cuisine that mixes my Italian roots with the spice and soul of the South.

From our Sunday meatballs simmered in red gravy to gumbo that warms the bones, each dish tells a story. Every spoonful takes you back to Mama’s kitchen, where you’re guaranteed to leave full as a tick and a little sleepy. It’s not just about what’s on the plate—it’s about who’s around the table. The Best Louisiana Cookbook is all about Makin’ Memories, which is what we like to say!

Some of the most memorable meals weren’t planned at all. They happened when friends dropped by unexpectedly and we “threw something together,” which meant pulling out leftovers, doctoring them up with fresh herbs, and making a meal worth talking about. It’s what we call Tangipahoa hospitality, and trust me, it’s seasoned with more than salt and pepper.

Our roots run deep here. The air smells like magnolia in the spring and sweet pecans in the fall. We even blend wellness into our traditions—check out how in Alkaline Living Secrets, where we explore how to balance rich family meals with modern-day health. Food isn’t rushed, it’s revered. It’s the thread that binds our community, whether we’re frying catfish on a Friday night or frying spaghetti for Sunday supper. You’ve got it all in the best Louisiana cookbook.

Heirloom Southern Dishes: Recipes From Our Family Legacy

This isn’t some Pinterest-inspired, once-and-done kitchen experiment. These are Heirloom Southern dishes that have been passed down through generations of Bellavias, LaMarcas, and our family friends. These recipes are handwritten on index cards, tucked into old cookbooks, and remembered by heart.

You’ll find things like Grandma Via’s fried eggplant (with just the right crunch), Uncle Cal’s sausage-stuffed bell peppers, and Nanny Ruby’s pralines—made with enough sugar to make your dentist cry. And don’t worry, every dish is still made with love (and most definitely, onion, garlic, and real butter).

We believe in food that tells a story. Our stories begin with childhoods spent picking berries in the garden, watching the women of the family can tomatoes, shell peas, and standing on a stool to stir the pot just like Mama. Every recipe is a time capsule. A flavor memory. A tribute to simpler times and stronger family ties.

That’s where our love of superfoods began—right in those backyards. You can read more about our approach to healing through food in Superfood Awakening.

Even the mistakes became family legends—like the time someone added salt instead of sugar to the strawberry shortcake, getting the handmixer tangled up in my hair when mixing a cake, or when the turkey fryer caught fire in the backyard. (Don’t worry, we saved the pie.) Seriously, you can’t make this shhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiizzzzzzzzzzzzzz up!

Italian-Inspired Recipes With A Cajun Twist

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a Cajun married into an Italian family, this is your answer. The Bellavia cookbook brings Italian-inspired recipes with a Cajun twist—a bold fusion that’s uniquely our own.

Think lasagna with Andouille sausage. Spaghetti topped with shrimp cream sauce. Bruschetta drizzled with spicy pepper jelly, cream cheese smothered in Pic-A-Peppa Sauce, and my Aunt Jo’s fabulous Shrimp Mold. If that doesn’t make your mouth water, we might need to check your pulse.

These family-style comfort food dishes are more than creative—they’re crave-worthy. Our approach to cooking is flavorful, fiery, and fun. Because why not throw a little Louisiana Hot Sauce into your red gravy if it makes your taste buds dance? Side note…We do love to DANCE. And after all that dancing (and dessert), you’ll need rest. We’ve got your back with Biohacking for Better Sleep—simple tricks that help you recover and recharge

We’ve never been afraid to bend the rules in the kitchen. If it tastes good, it’s worth making. And if it brings people together? Even better. Whether it’s a crawfish boil with Italian sausage or a muffuletta with olive schiacciate, a sloppy drippin’ dressed roast beef on French bread, and pickled okra, our recipes are a testament to joyful experimentation.

Family-Style Comfort Food: Made for Sharing

One thing you’ll notice flipping through the pages of the best Louisiana cookbook: this is family-style comfort food. You’ll rarely find measurements smaller than a cup. Why? Because we cook for big gatherings. We cook for neighbors, friends, coworkers, and anyone who happens to walk through the door with an empty stomach and a big smile.

These recipes were made for sharing. Imagine passing around cast-iron skillets of smothered veal, trays of baked ziti bubbling with cheese, and bowls of crawfish etouffee big enough to feed a high school football team. Not to mention the desserts… Oh yeah, homemade Italian Cookies, Pink Elephants (homemade vanilla ice cream floating in BIG RED), Italian Cream Cheese Cake, and Cannoli, to name a few.

Food is how we show love, and we show a lot of love. It’s in the extra scoop of mac and cheese, the second slice of cake you pretend not to want, and the pot of coffee that never seems to empty.

In our kitchen, there’s always room for one more. Always a plate ready. Always a story being shared over the stove. And yes, we talk loudly and we talk over one another, it’s just what we do!!

What Makes This the Best Louisiana Cookbook?

Good question. Here’s the secret to the best Louisiana cookbook: it’s not just about the recipes. It’s about the stories, the memories, the traditions, like the Oyster Festival, for example. It’s about learning how to make the trinity and the roux while hearing about Daddy parties at the Oyster House and how I got locked in the walk-in freezer. True Story, but that’s for another article for sure.

This best Louisiana cookbook has character. It has heart. And it has a few cooking stains on the pages, just the way we like it.

Here’s what you’ll get when you download the Best Louisiana Cookbook:

• Over 90 mouthwatering recipes
• Authentic dishes rooted in Northshore Louisiana cuisine
• Family-style comfort food that feeds your body and soul
• Italian-inspired recipes with a Cajun twist
• Tips, pairings, and photos that tell our family story

You won’t just learn how to cook—you’ll learn how to create an experience. We’ll guide you through the steps of making a perfect, authentic red gravy and how to adjust the seasoning “until it feels right.” There’s even a section for pairing meals with your favorite wines or homemade sweet tea.

And don’t worry if you’re not a professional chef. This best Louisiana cookbook made for home cooks, by home cooks. No fancy gadgets, no complicated instructions. Just real food made from real ingredients—seasoned with love and a little bit of soul.

Get Your Copy—It’s Free (Just Like a Good Meal Should Be)

I originally wrote this cookbook in 2007 as a gift for my son Joey’s 21st birthday. It wasn’t just a collection of recipes—it was a love letter. My way to preserve our roots and keep our kitchen traditions alive.

Now, I’m sharing it with you. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just someone who knows how to reheat leftovers, you’ll find something in here that speaks to you.

Want to taste why we call this the Best Louisiana Cookbook? Go ahead and download your free copy below. I promise you’ll come back for seconds.

And if you’re wondering what to drink with all this deliciousness, don’t worry, I’ve got a wine and beverage pairing guide coming soon. (Because Mama didn’t raise no fool.)

We hope you’ll not only cook these dishes but share them. Pass them on. Make your memories around them. That’s what this cookbook is really about—connection, culture, and comfort.

Hungry for more than recipes? You’ll find wellness tips, family stories, and health hacks in our full Health & Wellness section.

Bon appétit? Nah. Let’s say it the way we do in Louisiana and Italy:

Con tanto amore, un pizzico di benessere, una manciata di ricordi… e sempre un po’ di lagniappe.
(With lots of love, a pinch of wellness, a handful of memories… and always a little something extra.)

— Jacqualyn