Sunday, October 26, 2008

Crab and Shrimp Sauce Picante'

Of all the wonderful meals that my mother prepared for our family, this one is my favorite. One bite of this rich delicious dish and you know that you're in heaven. Ca cest' bon, cher !

 Mama's Crab and Shrimp Sauce Picante'

2 lbs. medium shrimp (peeled and deveined) 
10 gumbo crabs (cleaned)
 or 1 lb. crab meat
5 tbsp.'s butter and 5 tbsp.'s flour
1 onion and 1 bell pepper (chopped fine)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp. or more Tony's Creole seasoning
1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
Salt and Tabasco to taste
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
1 bunch green onions (chopped)
3 bay leaves
1 cup warm water

Season the shrimp with 1 tbsp. of the Creole seasoning. In large Dutch oven, melt the butter on med. low heat and add the flour, stirring constantly, until light brown in color. Add the onions,bell pepper, and garlic and lower heat, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 5 more minutes. Slowly add water, the Tabasco, the remaining Tony's, and the bay leaves. Stir well and add the shrimp and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add the green onions, and parsley and crabs and simmer for about 20 more minutes. Discard bay leaves and serve over cooked rice, with a fresh garden salad. Serves 6

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Another Great Weekend

Well, hopefully ya'll have recouped from the Festival Acadiens and are ready to go again. There is a great festival, this coming weekend in Lafayette, at Acadian Village, on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25. Louisiana's hottest folk roots bands, along with a variety of groups from all over the country will entertain the crowds. Cajun music legend, D.L. Menard and The Terry Huval Band will kick things off on Friday, at 6:30 p.m. With Fall temperatures predicted and sunny skies, it will be a pure pleasure to be outdoors and take in all of what the area has to offer. Get out and enjoy the wonderful festival atmosphere at the 3rd Annual Blackpot Festival and Cookoff, in Lafayette, at Acadian Village

 A few of the 19 regional bands slated to perform at the Blackpot Festival are The Racines, Feufollet, Balfa Toujours, and The Pine Leaf Boys, with the Red Stick Ramblers closing out the festival on Saturday night. And don't forget about the food. The Blackpot Festival celebrates the old fashioned Cajun way of cooking with black cast ironed pots, without electricity. This cook-off challenges chefs to make their best recipe and then share it with the lucky crowd. Tent camping will be offered, again this year, for those who enjoy camping. For a complete schedule and more details, check out: www.blackpotfestival.com


Monday, October 13, 2008

An Absolute Blast !


If you were one of the thousands of people who attended Festival Acadiens et Creoles, then you know that the popular festival turned out to be even more fun than you could have imagined. A record crowd, included visitors from California, New York, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, France, and many other places. They flocked in groves to hear the highly seasoned Cajun and Creole music. Those who had never danced a two step or a waltz , caught on fast, as they danced with the locals. So much fun!!!


New this year, was a third stage, La Salle de Danse, which had an actual dance floor and a tent. When I tried to get into the tent, to take a picture for this post, it was so crowded with dancers, that I couldn't get closer than ten feet from it. The energy was electric with the spicy sounds of Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Ramblers rockin the crowd. And once everyone discovered the Bayou Food Festival, it soon became clear why the Cajun Cuisine is world famous. Oh, cest bon, sha ! I could not pass up the Crawfish Poboys from the Bon Creole booth, nor the Seafood Jambalaya from Lagneaux's.




A lady in the line, behind me, asked me "What's a Poboy?" I immediately responded with, where are you from and have you ever had crawfish? So, I explained that a poboy is a Cajun Sub usually filled with shrimp, crawfish, oysters, or maybe sausage. I let her try a few of the succulent fried crawfish, from mine, and the Quebec native quickly ordered one. I'm sure that she really enjoyed it.
Great weather+ great music+ great food+ great people = an absolute blast. This year's Festivals Acadiens et Creoles was dedicated to Zachary Richard, a champion advocate of the Cajun people and culture.

Zachary Richard and Friends

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Lassiez Les Bon Temps Rouler'

A day of great music and dancing was enjoyed by all, at Day 1 of Festival Acadiens et Creoles. Thousands enjoyed the beautiful weather , delectable cuisine, and of course, the nitty-gritty dancing and awesome music . Some of the best bands that Acadiana has to offer, thrilled the crowds with their foot stomping accordion and fiddle music. Strangers and friends, alike, shared a dance on the huge dance floor, which wasn't quite as dusty, this year. 


The Bayou Food Festival served up such delicacies as Crawfish Fettucini, Seafood Jambalaya, Alligator Bites, Crab Cakes, and Catfish Courtbouillion. And the Louisiana Crafts Fair presented over fifty fine artists and artisans. The best part is that we get to do it all again tomorrow. Come on down to Girard Park, in Lafayette, for a great time that will be long remembered. Sunday's festival kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with the unique sounds of the Magnolia Sisters. The Bluerunners take the stage at 1:30 p.m. and Wayne Toups and ZydeCajun will rock the crowd at 5:30 p.m. See ya'll there!

Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie