Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Hotter than Hot in Cajun Country



(Eh-Fay-Show-Sha!) With temperatures above 100 degrees for three days in a row, we are quite simply, boiling down here. We're no strangers to hot weather, here in Cajun Country, but we usually hover around the low 90's , in June, with daily afternoon thunder showers, better known as monsoon season. It's always more humid, after the rain, but it drops the temperature about 10 degrees, so it's a good trade off. We also have not had any rain in 4 weeks and are headed into a serious drought. Global warming? Perhaps, but we're headed for a cool front, this weekend, and will only top out in the mid- nineties! Yikes! So how to stay cool?
Here's my list:

1. Buy a gallon of frozen Margaritas and sip, as needed
2. Find the coolest place in town
3. Stay in the pool, when not in the air conditioning
4. Do as little, as possible, including cooking
5. Go out to dinner

Since I spent the day doing the first 4 things on my list, that brings us to number 5. We headed over to Agave Mexican Grille and Cantina, (one of my favorite restaurants). Frozen Margaritas all the way around for this group, except for a few beer drinkers. I decided to order one of my favorite items on the menu, The Fiesta Salad. It is so colorful and appetizing and divinely delicious, A zesty mixture of lettuce, squash, tomatoes, carrots, roasted corn and black bean salsa, topped with shredded tortilla chips, served with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing. Out of this world!! Cest bon, cher! What are you doing to stay cool, this summer
?


10 comments:

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Thankfully, we have been, as expected having a rather mild June here in So. California. I'm sure we are in for some hot weather, it always comes. And I agree with your prescription, Margaritas Mamacita!

Marguerite said...

Southern Cal. sounds good to me, Elizabeth. Always beautiful, there.
Hope you're settled in, by now.

Nancy said...

We're just starting to warm up! But tonight is going to be warm enough to eat out on the deck. Yay!

Kat said...

I am in hibernation in the air conditioning! I think we are in the same weather pattern as you this year.

GYPSYWOMAN said...

hello cajunlady - have just come across your blog which i was especially drawn to since i, too, am a LOUISIANAGIRL - shreveport, actually - but paternal roots in winnfield - it's always great to find a taste of "home" and yours is especially inviting!!! i relocated here to delaware to be near my two youngest daughters when they began their families - other daughters still in louisiana and son in dallas - i can smell the cajun food from here - and feel the beat of the music! jenean

Marguerite said...

LOL- Now I have two good friends named Nancy! Fabulous addition to your blog title. The other Nancy is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Enjoy your dinner on the deck. Sounds delightful.

Marguerite said...

Good for you, Kat! You are so lucky. I only wish that I could hibernate. Imagine, it's only June, too! Relax and enjoy!!

gypsywoman- Thanks so much for your kind comments. It's always great to hear from Louisianians and it's a pleasure to meet you, too. So glad that you enjoyed it, cher!

California Girl said...

I still can't get over your ability to buy a gallon of margaritas. i'd be such a drunk! no, really!

your recipes for staying cool sound good. after days and days of endless drizzle and rain and whatnot we had a hot humid day in the northeast. NOTHING like you're experiencing but I'd have jumped in a pool today if I had one.

I did cook tonight. My husband bought me the New Mediterranean Diet cookbook and it's wonderful. The author is from Maine tho' she lives half the year in Italy. Lucky gal. Anyway, made a dish I've made once before: pork, tomatoes, onion, garlic, red pepper sauteed in olive oil. Add chicken broth and thicken then add broken capellini and continue to add chicken broth stirring as you would a risotto. make a pesto of toasted almonds, fried bread (in olive oil) parmesan cheese, garlic & parsley. Add to the pork mixture, stir and let sit, then serve in bowls. hearty, healthy and delicious.

Marguerite said...

Cal. Girl- Thanks so much for sharing this great recipe. Looks sinfully delicious, cher! Hope your weekend weather is perfect. Cheers!

California Girl said...

forgot to mention the saffron threads in the pesto. they call for 6 or so but i love saffron so i'm liberal with it. it is a good recipe. very filling. i ate too much. urp.