Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

Did you know that Southern Louisiana is home to descendants of the original French and Spanish settlers, called Creoles, as well as descendants of French settlers from the Acadia region of eastern Canada, called Cajuns. Both the Creoles and Cajuns have their own styles of cooking. Typical Creole dishes include spicy stews served with rice, such as gumbo and jambalaya. Typical Cajun dishes include red beans and rice, and boudin, which is a spicy sausage.

This recipe is for an easy-to-make jambalaya – a delicious regional recipe that is also fun to make.

LOUISIANA Shrimp Jambalaya

What You Will Need:

• 1 large Onion, finely chopped


• 1/2 medium Green Pepper, chopped


• 1 clove of Garlic, finely chopped


• 3 tablespoons Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil


• 1 pound of raw medium sized Shrimp


• 1 cup uncooked White Rice


• 2 cups Chicken Broth


• 1 teaspoon table Salt


• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper


• 1/2 teaspoon dried Thyme


• 1/8 teaspoon crushed Red Pepper


• 1 can (16 ounces) Whole Tomatoes


• 1/2 pound sausage, cooked and chopped into bite-sized pieces


• Large stock pot

What You Do:

• In a stock pot, combine the chopped onion, green pepper, garlic and 2 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil. Saute these ingredients over medium heat for 3 minutes.


• Stir in the shrimp and cook for 5 minutes or until they are no longer pink. You will need to stir it frequently to prevent sticking.


• When shrimp are done cooking, remove the shrimp mixture from the pot and set aside in a bowl.


• Cook the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil and the rice in the stock pot over medium heat, stirring often, until the rice has browned. This will take 8-10 minutes.


• Stir in the chicken broth, salt, pepper, thyme, crushed red pepper and can of whole tomatoes. Heat this mixture to a boiling and then reduce heat. Cover and simmer until rice is tender (about 12-15 minutes).


• Stir in the shrimp mixture and the chopped sausage. Cover and continue to cook until shrimp and sausage are hot.


• Serve immediately.

Louisiana State Information – Click this link to learn more about Louisiana attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

Louisiana Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

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