The Cajun Queen’s Cuisine
Ashley Robichaux pens two new cookbooks flavored with a joy of life
Ashley Robichaux, owner of Cajun Phatty’s, radiates a bit of joie de vivre. The self-proclaimed “Cajun Queen” is now sharing that joy of life in two new cookbooks, presenting traditional Cajun cooking with a modern flair.
Ashley, a native of New Iberia, Louisiana, moved to Billings in 2011. She and her husband, Shane, started a catering service a year later. They later bought a food truck and then found a brick-and-mortar space in downtown Billings in 2015. Seven years ago, she moved into her current location on King Avenue.
At Cajun Phatty’s, fans have raved about her traditional gumbo. In her first cookbook, “Born on Da Bayou,” you will find her Chicken Sausage Gumbo and her Seafood Gumbo, along with potato salad and mac and cheese. In the cookbook she shares this tip: add a spoonful of potato salad to gumbo. It adds richness and thickens the broth.
Her second cookbook, “Southern Holiday Cooking,” celebrates recipes that are perfect for Christmas, New Year’s and the all-important Cajun holiday of Mardi Gras. The holiday falls on the day before the beginning of Lent. It is known as “Fat Tuesday,” when revelers feast before the traditional time of fasting.
“The King Cake is a significant part of Mardi Gras, with the name coming from the Bible’s story of the three wise men who brought gifts to Jesus on the Twelfth Night,” Ashley says. “The colors of the cake, with purples, greens and gold, represent justice, faith and power.” She shares how a small plastic baby is hidden inside the layers of the cake to symbolize Jesus. In “Southern Holiday Cooking,” you’ll find recipes for a Chantilly King Cake as well as a Praline King Cake.
“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in this kitchen for the holidays,” she says with a smile.
Both books are dedicated to mother, Jerry, to whom she expresses gratitude for “loving me unconditionally and always believing that I could do anything.” She also gives thanks to her Aunt Peggy for “showing me the gift of cooking,” and to her mother-in-law Ronnie, an old-school Cajun cook who could cook anything.
Ashley wrote and self-published the cookbooks because of her love of food. “Food brings everyone together. When I love something, I want to tell you,” she says. She includes stories in and tips in both cookbooks. One which cooks might enjoy is the correct colors of different types of roux, which is the base of many sauces in Cajun cooking.
She’s hoping that by sharing her Cajun flavors, it will bring richness, spice and a joie de vivre to anytime cooking.
“A lot of people don’t love to cook,” Ashley says. “Even though you might not be a good cook, you can always learn!”
Editor’s Note: You might remember Ashley Robichaux as one of YVW’s former cover girls. To read her full story, visit yellowstonevalleywoman.com/ashley-robichaux.
