Wondering what Cuban food has to offer you? In this Cuisine Decoder we delve into the Cuban cuisine and explain the roots of the cuisine, as well as some popular dishes. Notably the cuban sandwich makes the top of the list. Check out our latest cuisine decoder decoding the infamous Cuban cuisine.

Recently, we introduced our Cuisine Decoder series that is meant to help customers become more familiar with the amazing variety of cuisines local Tampa Food Trucks offer, and hopefully encourage the culinary timid to step outside of their comfort zone to experience new and exciting dishes such as Cajun cuisine.

If you have never been to Louisiana, and hear the words Cajun or Creole, you probably think spicy, or so hot that you will start sweating. While spices are common in Cajun dishes, only a small amount of them bring the heat- yet, all of them bring flavor. Cajun, or creole, blends French, West African, Amerindian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian influences, as well as general Southern cuisine. Cajun food blends a short list of simple ingredients- such as a protein, vegetables, and herbs- into an amazingly flavorful dish that will have you craving more!

This rustic, comfort cuisine is often focuses on shrimp and/or pork sausage as their protein staples in many dishes. These proteins are usually blended with the "holy trinity" of Cajun flavor- the aromatic bell pepper, onion and celery- and the "pope" also known as garlic.

Roughly diced and combined in cooking, the method blends roughly diced onion, celery and carrot. Characteristic aromatics in addition can be added, such as parsley, bay leaf, green onions, dried cayenne pepper and dried black pepper.

Here are a few of the most popular Cajun dishes:

ETOUFFÉE/ ETOUFFE/ ETOUFEE

Cajun term for smothered meat or seafood, cooked with a roux and the Cajun "Holy Trinity" (onions, 

celery, and bell pepper). Usually served with rice. The term is derived from the French verb "etouffer", which means "to smother or suffocate." This dish does not use any roux.

GUMBO
A Cajun/Creole delicacy of South Louisiana, reflecting its rich history: wild game or seafood (from the Acadians), thickened with okra (from the Africans), file (from the Indians), and roux (from the French). Called a "brown soup", gumbos are made with just about any meat you can find. Meats such as duck, chicken, blackbirds, pork or deer sausage, tasso, andouille sausage or seafood can be used singly or in any combination.

JAMBALAYA

A hearty dish of South Louisiana origin featuring a choice of meats (ham, sausage, shrimp, chicken, tasso), cooked with Trinity, tomato, and rice.

Ever heard of an Arepa? An Arepa is a flatbread made of ground maize dough or cooked flour prominent in the cuisine of Colombia and Venezuela. The arepa is flat, round, unleavened bread type patty, which is made by soaking ground kernels of maize (corn), or maize meal or maize flour. It can be grilled, baked, fried, boiled or steamed.

There is a phrase in the marketing world that says, “When you are talking to everybody, you are talking to no one.” This phrase reminds marketers that, to be successful, you MUST know your audience.

Just like everything else, running a food truck is very much a business and cooking is just a fraction of it. It is a very important fraction- but, a fraction nonetheless. Understanding the in and outs of the business needs of running a food truck is vital to your success.

There is no questioning the popularity of food truck rallies and the growth of the industry as a whole. The number of trucks, rallies, the popularity of food truck related features on television (there are entire shows now based on the food truck industry)

Thinking about food trucks on Valentine's Day? Well you're thinking correctly! Food trucks provide an awesome alternative to a typical restaurant experience. Skip the wait, reservation begging, and high costs of a traditional dinner. Most food trucks offer meals around $10 per meal.

This week, we talked to Michael Blasco, The CEO (Chief Eating Officer) of Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally for a little more insight into the How to Start a Food Truck Seminar

Looking for some food truck ideas/cuisine types that are great to start in the 2015 year? This blog takes you through what food trucks are currently in the industry, and some of our suggestions on what food truck cuisines the Tampa Bay Area is lacking.

Food trucks provide a combination of convenience and accessibility mixed into a truck. Check out this quick blog that updates you on the food truck industry in Tampa, Florida.