The iconic New Orleans sandwich – call it “poboy” or “poor boy” (and that depends on who’s asked) – has more than one origin story, but well-accepted is the legend of the 1929 New Orleans streetcar strike, when the Martin brothers, owners of a small coffee stand and restaurant, fed the strikers free French-bread sandwiches. Today it’s served citywide on the same New Orleans style French bread, with all sorts of fillings from sliced ham to fried seafood, sausage, French fries, or roast beef. And when they ask if you want it “dressed,” most locals agree that if you say “yes,” your sandwich is likely to receive generous portions of the four essentials: shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, mayonnaise and sliced pickle. Innovative new poboy recipes are created every day across New Orleans, but here are five that have become New Orleans poboy classics:
New Orleans Style Roast Beef Debris Poboy
Debris (pronounced day-bree) is all of the tiny, tasty bits of beef that fall off a roast while it’s cooking, smothered in rich beef gravy.
Fried Shrimp Poboy
Plump, fresh Gulf shrimp, fried crispy and golden, make this sandwich a local favorite. It’s found on just about every po-boy shop menu in town, but it’s easy to make at home, too.
Vietnamese Spicy Cilantro Pork Poboy (Banh Mi)
This delicious fusion of New Orleans and Vietnamese cuisines features marinated roast pork, creamy mayonnaise and a garnish of fresh cucumber, cilantro and sweet-tart pickled vegetables – all loaded onto airy French bread.
Meatball & Onion Gravy Poboy
Bring on the napkins, because they’ll be needed for this messy po-boy. Use toasted, thick-sliced bread or a French loaf and enjoy the knockout flavor combination of beefy meatballs, bread, mayonnaise, gravy and onions.
New Orleans Crawfish Bread
This popular take on the famous New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Crawfish Bread features Louisiana crawfish tails tossed in a generously seasoned, cheesy cream sauce, all piled on French bread and baked in the oven.
When the weather warms up, it’s time to fire up the grill. But no matter how much oil you use, there’s always that moment when your delicate fish, perfect pork chop or beautifully marbled beef burgers flare up and stick to the grill. Why? Oil and water don’t mix, so when foods are cooking on the grill, the oil runs off and often causes flaming. Those flare-ups also cause delicate proteins to dry out and stick to the grill.
The Non-Stick Power of Blue Plate Mayo
Try using a thin layer of Blue Plate Mayo spread evenly over your fish, chicken or beef. Here’s why it works:
• Blue Plate Mayo has a high smoking point, so it will not burn like butter or smoke like oil.
• Blue Plate Mayo is made with only the egg yolks, oil and vinegar, forming a delicious emulsion that adheres well to food, allowing it to grill without sticking.
• Blue Plate Mayo encapsulates the foods you’re cooking, sealing in flavorful juices and helping to prevent food from sticking or getting dry.
A vehicle for flavor – Now that’s the good stuff!
Think of Blue Plate Mayonnaise as a vehicle for flavor. Add any number of spices, herbs or citrus (finely grated peel or juice) to a couple tablespoons of Blue Plate Mayonnaise, infusing it with flavor. Coat the meat, fish or vegetables with the mayo mixture before grilling. As the liquid from the coating evaporates, the flavor condenses and the juices are sealed in. It is a win-win-win situation for keeping foods from sticking, adding flavor to your foods and grilling like a pro.
Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Caper Aioli
Perfectly Grilled Rib-Eyes with Tarragon Mayonnaise
Grilled Red Snapper with Avocado Mayonnaise and Salsa Verde
A Bacon Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich (BLT) Bar is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and the ultimate nod to an American classic. Pile up platters of hot crispy bacon, golden toasted bread, cold crisp lettuce (we love romaine or iceberg), and thick-sliced ripe tomatoes, chilled and ready to stack. It’s easy to set up, fun to customize, and perfect for any gathering from casual brunches to backyard cookouts. Plus, accommodate all tastes by adding a few veggie and turkey bacon options. When everything’s fresh, crisp, and ready to build, you’ve got what it takes to make perfect BLTs – dressed with Blue Plate Mayo of course. That’s the good stuff!
What You Need
Creating a BLT Bar is easy. You’ll want to offer a few different kinds of each of the basic sandwich components. Make sure to include a variety of whatever looks freshest, most interesting, and most colorful. Choose some hearty sliced breads for toasting (set the toaster on the table as part of the spread) and some fresh New Orleans style French bread (aka po-boy bread) for those who prefer a BLT po-boy.
- Crispy Bacon: Try hickory smoked bacon, peppered, maple flavored, turkey bacon, and plant-based bacon if you want a vegan option. Pro tip: Roast the bacon in the oven on rimmed sheet pans (1 lb bacon per pan) at 375° for about 15 minutes.
- Fresh Lettuce: The colder and crispier, the better. Try romaine or even good old iceberg lettuce, because it’s as crispy as lettuce gets.
- Tomatoes: Go for the ripest, prettiest you can find – Roma tomatoes, beefsteak, heirloom or Creole tomatoes. Chill and slice ’em thick.
- Bread: Any great quality sliced breads from white sandwich to a crusty sourdough to New Orleans style French bread, if you can get it.
- Extra Toppings & Sides: Set out avocado slices, sliced cheeses, our Hot & Spicy Pimento Cheese, sliced red onions, salt & pepper, pickles and potato chips.
Creamy Condiments add layers of flavor
Classic Blue Plate Mayo and Blue Plate Hot & Spicy Mayo are the BLT standards, but why not mix in some flavors, too? Set out dishes of other easy-to-make condiments including Hot Dill Pickle Mayo, Louisiana Style Remoulade Sauce, Homemade Ranch Dressing, and Pink Fry Sauce.
How to Assemble a BLT Bar
The great thing about a BLT Bar is it can be prepped mostly ahead of time. First, cook the bacon, arrange it on a platter on paper towels, and keep it warm. Mix up your mayonnaise spreads and sauces and refrigerate them until the last minute. When it’s time to eat, slice and arrange the tomatoes, lettuce and other toppings on platters. Then set out the condiments, fire up the toaster and ring the dinner bell!
How do you BLT? There are so many ways.
Why not try a combination of hickory smoked bacon, beefsteak tomato, romaine lettuce, cheddar cheese, and Hot Dill Pickle Mayo on toasted sourdough? Or hot peppered bacon, Roma tomato, curly leaf lettuce, red onions and straight up Blue Plate Mayo on a length of delicate, crispy-on-the-outside New Orleans po-boy bread? Endless possibilities, all dressed to perfection with Blue Plate Mayo – That’s the good stuff!
Our recipe for making creamy and delicious mac ’n’ cheese takes just a few ingredients, and involves a super simple hack: replace the flour, milk and butter mixture (also known as Bechamel sauce) with Blue Plate® Mayonnaise! This shortcut doesn’t just save time – it guarantees a rich, velvety consistency with minimal effort.
No stovetop stirring required
Say goodbye to the stovetop stirring and waiting game. Instead of putting together a Bechamel sauce, all you need to do is combine Blue Plate® Mayonnaise with sour cream, cream cheese, and freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese. This blend melts perfectly, delivering a creamy texture and a deliciously tangy twist.
Pro Tip: For the best results, always shred your cheddar fresh – pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly!
The secret to easy, irresistible mac ‘n cheese
Our recipe couldn’t be simpler. After cooking your macaroni, mix it with the rich cheese sauce, pour it into a baking dish, and bake to perfection. The result? A creamy, cheesy dish with a golden, bubbly finish – sure to be a hit with your family and guests alike.
It’s versatile: Use what you’ve got!
This simplified recipe is as flexible as it is flavorful. Feel free to adapt the ingredients based on what’s in your kitchen, but for the creamiest results, stick with full-fat options. Get ready to serve up smiles – this mac ’n cheese disappears fast!
RECIPE: Creamiest Ever Macaroni & Cheese
Prep Time: 20 mins.
Cook Time: 30 mins.
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni (½ of a large package)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Blue Plate® Mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 pound (about 4 cups) freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
Directions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring 6 quarts of water and salt to a boil in a large pot. Add macaroni and cook 9 to 11 minutes (or follow the package directions) until pasta is al dente. Drain and rinse.
- Make the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat an 11×7-inch or 12×12-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Assemble the Dish: Pour the drained macaroni into the bowl with the cheese sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly. Transfer to the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the mixture sets and does not slosh when the dish is gently shaken. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
An easy way to make Southern style Drop Biscuits
With this Southern biscuit baking hack, making light, fluffy homemade biscuits is much easier than you might think. Our recipe has just 3 ingredients and features a simple hack for replacing the butter and fat.
No need to knead
There’s no need to roll, cut or knead the dough. With these drop biscuits, simply combine self-rising flour with milk and Blue Plate® Mayonnaise, mix well, and drop 2 tablespoons of dough at a time onto a baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 15-20 minutes.
Blue Plate Mayo = Great texture & flavor
The biscuits offer a deliciously moist and fluffy texture, thanks to Blue Plate Mayonnaise. Yup, that’s the good stuff! They should come out of the oven golden on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfect for spreading with butter and jam.
Add a seasoning, herb or cheese
For extra flavor, add minced chives, basil, or garlic powder and Parmesan cheese to the mix. Our recipe is so easy to personalize, you and your family can enjoy homemade biscuits just the way you like them.
RECIPE: SOUTHERN DROP BISCUITS
Ingredients
1 cup milk
1/3 cup Blue Plate® Mayonnaise
2 cups self-rising* flour
Preparation
Preaheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a large cookie sheet with nonstick spray, or cover with parchment or a silicone mat.
Mix the milk and mayonnaise with a whisk in a large bowl. Whisk in flour slowly, whisking just enough to combine. Scrape down sides. If mixture is too thin, add additional flour in ¼ cup increments until dough can be scooped.
Drop about 2 tablespoons dough at a time onto the prepared cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm. Wrap leftovers and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.
*If you don’t have 2 cups self-rising flour, substitute 2 cups all-purpose flour plus 3 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt.
How to make crispy baked chicken fingers
Who knew that one ingredient that could make chicken fingers faster and keep the crispy outer coating in place? There’s a hack that really does the trick, and it uses Blue Plate Mayo. Now that’s the good stuff!
1-Step quicker
While other chicken finger recipes usually call for a coating of flour and egg before adding the breadcrumb mixture, our recipe is one step quicker by going straight for the mayonnaise. The whole family will love this fast, easy and delicious dish.
The breading sticks better
Simply brush your chicken pieces with a creamy mixture of Blue Plate® Mayonnaise and
Creole seasoning, and then press into a savory coating of Panko bread crumbs, shredded Parmesan and spices. You’ll find that the breading sticks better to the chicken, and the finished dish offers up great tangy flavor – as well as a golden crust.
Comeback Sauce for dipping
To top it off, be sure to serve the chicken fingers with our Sriracha Comeback Sauce – a mayo lover’s dipping sauce that’s also delicious with boiled seafood.
RECIPE: CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN FINGERS WITH SRIRACHA COMEBACK SAUCE
Ingredients
1 pound chicken breasts, cut in 1-inch-wide strips
Favorite chicken seasoning
1/3 cup Blue Plate® Real Mayonnaise
¼ teaspoon Creole seasoning
1 cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon white pepper
Preparation
COAT a shallow baking pan and a rack that fits inside it with nonstick spray.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
DRY chicken pieces with paper towels and season lightly with chicken seasoning.
Let sit while mixing the mayonnaise and bread crumb mixtures.
COMBINE mayonnaise and Creole seasoning in a small bowl. In a pie plate or large
shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs, cheese, onion and garlic powders and white
pepper.
BRUSH chicken pieces with mayonnaise mixture on both sides. Use the one-wet
one-dry method for hands: Hold chicken in one hand and brush on the
mayonnaise; use the other hand to press it into the crumbs and turn it, pressing
the second side into the crumbs to adhere. Put the coated chicken on prepared
rack.
BAKE 25 to 30 minutes, just until juices run clear or an instant-read thermometer
reads 160 degrees. Do not overbake. Serve hot with the sauce.
Sriracha Comeback Sauce
1 cup Blue Plate® Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sweet or hot paprika
MIX all ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate. Keeps well for 1 week. Serve with boiled seafood, fried seafood, chicken fingers, wings, or as a salad dressing. Keeps well for 1 week.
The easy way to make moist, delicious Banana Bread
Here’s a hack that’ll surprise you. Blue Plate Mayo is the secret ingredient you’d never think to use to make banana bread oh so moist and delicious. That’s the good stuff!
Wait, Blue Plate in banana bread?
Most baked goods, including banana bread, call for butter or oil. But if you don’t have any on hand, mayonnaise is a great replacement. As an added bonus, it alters the texture, making the banana bread super moist. Baker’s Tip: no need to worry, there’s no mayo taste at all in the final product!
Add mayo to mashed bananas
It’s as simple as mashing the bananas and adding enough Blue Plate® Mayonnaise to equal 2 ½ cups. Then beat in an egg, sugar, and vanilla extract. Fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, and add pecans. Oh, and don’t forget the chocolate chips, even though they’re optional.
Bake, cool and cnjoy
A yummy after-school snack and a great way to keep your coffee company, our banana bread recipe stays fresh for up to 5 days, and freezes well, too. But it’s so good, it probably won’t last that long!
*Tip: Always keep ripe bananas on hand so you’re ready to make banana bread anytime: peel ripe or over-ripe bananas, and freeze in a zip-top plastic bag. Then thaw before using.
RECIPE: OVER-THE-TOP BANANA BREAD
Ingredients
3 ripe bananas
1 cup Blue Plate® Mayonnaise
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup pecans
½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch by 5-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
Mash bananas with a fork in a large measuring cup. Medium bananas should measure about 1 1/2 cups. If this is the case, add the entire 1 cup mayonnaise. If the bananas are larger, add slightly less mayonnaise, probably about ¾ cup, to equal 2 1/2 cups total bananas and mayonnaise.
Beat in a large bowl the egg, sugar, banana-mayonnaise mixture and vanilla, until mixed well. In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Fold into banana mixture with pecans (and chocolate chips, if using) just until no streaks of flour can be seen. Turn into the prepared baking pan.
Bake 1 hour, until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center. Cool on a rack 15 minutes, then remove from pan. Cool completely, then wrap in foil. Keeps well up to 5 days. Freezes well.
