Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian Season 6 Episode 14 Saving Quarters In the French Quarter

Melissa d'Arabian is back with another mouth-watering episode of "Ten Dollar Dinners." In season 6, episode 14, titled "Saving Quarters In the French Quarter," Melissa takes her budget-friendly cooking skills to the streets of New Orleans.

The episode begins with Melissa exploring the vibrant and historic French Quarter, where she discovers local markets and seafood shops to find fresh ingredients for her dishes. Melissa is on a mission to create delicious meals while staying within her $10 budget.

Melissa starts the show by making a Hot Sausage and Spinach Dip. She blends spinach, sausage, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then she adds hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder to give it an extra kick of flavor. Melissa serves the dip with toasted bread and fresh vegetables for a perfect appetizer.

Next, Melissa heads to the local seafood market to find the freshest shrimp for her Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Gumbo. She quickly sautés the vegetables and sausage before adding the shrimp and her homemade roux. Melissa's homemade roux is a French-style mixture of flour and oil that creates the thick and rich base of the gumbo. After simmering the gumbo for some time, Melissa serves it over rice with a sprinkle of scallions and parsley.

Melissa's third dish is a classic New Orleans Po' Boy sandwich made with roast beef and debris. "Debris" refers to the flavorful bits of beef left at the bottom of the cooking pot. Melissa makes the roast beef and debris in an Instant Pot, which takes only an hour to cook. She puts the roast beef and debris on a toasted baguette with mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Finally, Melissa makes a refreshing Orange and Olive Salad. She slices oranges and tosses them with mixed olives, feta cheese, scallions, and a simple vinaigrette dressing made with orange juice, olive oil, and honey. This fruit and savory salad is a perfect side dish with any meal.

Throughout the episode, Melissa shares tips and tricks on how to stay on a tight budget while cooking delicious meals. Melissa's "Saving Quarters In the French Quarter" episode is a must-see for any foodie looking for delicious and affordable recipes inspired by the vibrant and flavorful cuisine of New Orleans.