Durant loves making shrimp jambalaya

Sam Durant learned to cook shrimp jambalaya, hamburgers, chicken alfredo, and fried chicken from his parents, David and Kay Durant. These family meals were a staple growing up and sparked his love for cooking.

“My mom is a great Southern cook,” he said. “That’s what made me get into it.”

Durant, a 2022 graduate of Neshoba Central, is currently pursuing a degree in business administration at Mississippi State University, where he is also a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. 

He said his time at the fraternity house has been filled with tons of memories, many of which revolve around cooking and grilling hamburgers with his fraternity brothers.

Among all the dishes he prepares, Durant’s shrimp jambalaya stands out as his best. He also loves preparing grilled chicken and fried rice and said cooking hamburgers for his family is a special joy for him.

“I’m a big fan of paprika, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and Cajun seasonings,” Durant said. “These spices really bring out the flavors in my food.”

Durant said his approach to cooking is hands-on and experimental, and he believes in learning through trial and error, constantly tweaking his recipes to see what tastes best. 

Durant said he is excited about his family’s upcoming 4th of July celebration at their camper spot at the Fairgrounds. There, he will help his dad cook catfish, a tradition he anticipates every year.

Durant said a few key ingredients in his kitchen include garlic salt, tomato paste, and the ever-essential salt and pepper.

“I know cooking can sometimes be discouraging,” he said. “You just have to stick with it and never give up.”

For Durant, the true reward of cooking lies in tasting the final product and sharing it with his friends and family.

SHRIMP JAMBALAYA (MAMAW BARBARA’S RECIPE)

1/4 cup bacon grease 

2 pounds of shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 cup rice 

1 cup water 

1 small can tomato sauce 

Seasonings to taste: salt, pepper, onion salt or powder, garlic salt, cayenne pepper 

Melt bacon grease in skillet. Add shrimp and season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic salt. Cook and stir shrimp until they turn pink. Add water, rice, and tomato sauce. Season with cayenne to taste. Cover and let simmer 30-45 min, stirring occasionally.

HOT WINGS 

Chicken wings or drummettes 

1 stick of butter

3-4 tsp of Tabasco sauce (more or less to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste 

Season wings with salt and pepper and deep fry in oil 9-10 minutes. Melt butter in a saucepan on medium heat and add Tabasco. Place wings in butter about 1 min to coat the wings. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce- BBQ, Ranch or Blue Cheese.

GREEN BEAN BUNDLES

Frozen or fresh whole green beans

Bacon 

Good Seasons Italian dressing 

Brown sugar 

Cut package of bacon in half, then use the half slices to make bundles by wrapping three green beans and hold together with a toothpick. Place the bean bundles in a baking dish and drizzle with Italian dressing, then sprinkle brown sugar on them. Bake at 350° for 30 min or until bacon is cooked.