Music and a Meal

Cooking and music go together like sea salt and cracked pepper – one without the other just isn't right. Why not let music inspire what's for dinner, setting the mood for an evening of flavors bold or subtle? This lively playlist takes you to 10 delicious places on the map that will have you dancing in the kitchen in no time.

Southern Nights

The late, great New Orleans-based musician Allen Toussaint wrote this Grammy-winning tune to celebrate the laid-back beauty of true Southern hospitality. Slow cook some maple and orange glazed ribs with sides of grits and greens, and savor some Southern comfort.

La Bamba

Head South of the Border with Richie Valens' classic dance number. It makes the perfect soundtrack to a zesty Mexican skillet with quick tamale dumplings, a meal that comes together in just 35 minutes.

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

A bottle of red and a bottle of white is just the ticket for a weeknight menu of chicken cacciatore with pasta, with Billy Joel's coming-of-age song in the background.

Roots Rock Reggae

All is "irie" when Bob Marley sings about playing reggae music, just the vibe for an easy to prepare Jamaican curry chicken.

  

Cinnamon Girl

Neil Young can be happy the rest of his life with a cinnamon girl, a dreamer of pictures chasing the moonlight. Imagine if she could cook, too, whipping up a cinnamon pork rub for a savory roast.

Walking to New Orleans

New Orleans’ native son Fats Domino recorded this classic tune in Cosimo Matassa's famous studio on Rampart Street. One listen and you'll be ready for a plate of spicy shrimp remoulade over angel hair pasta.

Girl from Ipanema

This timeless Brazilian bossa nova classic recorded by Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz sets a rhythmic stage for a one-pot meal of feijoada, Brazilian black bean stew spiked with chile and chorizo.

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)

Marvin Gaye's music is a gift on any occasion, but his version of this classic Motown hit is your just deserts, especially if these divine cappuccino brownies are in the oven.

La Vie En Rose

Edith Piaf, the singer known as “The Little Sparrow” in France, recorded this romantic anthem in 1946. It still conjures images of a charming bistro and a fragrant plate of classic beef burgundy ragout.

Everybody Wants Some

Van Halen's catchy anthem is a guaranteed party starter, and the same goes for this addictive recipe for sweet and spicy roasted nuts.

Beth D'Addono is a food and travel writer based in New Orleans. She regularly writes about flavors Creole and global for outlets from USAToday.com and 10Best.com to Country Roads and AAA World. Her latest book is The Hunt New Orleans, an authentically different guidebook to her city.

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