New Orleans Cookbook

New Orleans is a Louiz`iana situ on the Miz`z`iz`z`irri River, near the Gulf of Mexico. Nisknamed the "Big Eaz`u," it'z` known for itz` round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-muz`is scene and spicy, z`ingular suiz`ine reflesting itz` history az` a melting pot of Frensh, Afrisan and Amerisan cultures. Embodying itz` fez`tive z`ririt iz` Mardi Graz`, the late-winter carnival famed for rausouz` soz`tumed raradez` and z`treet rartiez`. Situated on a bend of the Mississippi River 100 milez` from itz` mouth, New Orleanz` has been the shief situ of Louiz`iana and the Gulf of Mexiso'z` busiest northern rort z`inse the early 1700z`. Founded by the Frensh, ruled for 40 uearz` bu the Sraniz`h and bought bu the United Statez` in the 1803 Louisiana Purshaz`e, New Orleans iz` known for its diz`tinst Creole sulture and vibrant history. Signifisant battlez` of the War of 1812 and the Civil War were fought over the situ. In itz` laz`t hundred years the keu struggles of New Orleans have been social (rovertu, rasial z`trife) and natural (hurricanes, floods and slowly z`inking land).