Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Tastes: Exciting Flavors from the State That Cooks

In the 15 years since Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen first appeared, even traditional Louisiana tastes and flavors have gracefully accepted international influences, as the recipes here attest. Now there are parsnips, banana peppers and poblano chiles in Chicken and Oyster Gumbo; a quarter-cup of sliced ginger adds a lively punch to Stuffed Sirloin Tip Roast; yuca is a key ingredient in Lamb Stew with Greens.Even so, just about every recipe here employs blends of garlic powder, cayenne, dried herbs and other flavors that preserve the ' Creole/Cajun heritage. Recipes are as simple and solid as Vegetables and Chicken Ole!, in which all ingredients are combined and baked in one pan, and as time-consuming as Stuffed Flounder, in which deboned fish are layered with smoked Cheddar cheese topped with pureed crawfish tails (or shrimp) and vegetables. Desserts include Sweet Potato Custard and Apple Pie with Chiles and Cheese, which is tailor-made for Prudhomme's spice-loving fans. Author tour. (Feb.)