Friday, March 6, 2009

The Land Of Cajun Food

By Dan Sewinski

Cooking in the heart of Cajun country is an art form. There really is very little science to this particular form of cooking that includes a lot more than mere lagniappe from the pantry or the spice cabinet.

One of the fascinating things about Cajun cooking is the fact that there are very few exact recipes.Cajun cooking is something that has often been imitated around the country and around the world but can very rarely be accurately duplicated.

Most, if not all authentic Cajun food is done to taste rather than measurements. Even more amazing is that from day to day one person can make the same dish over and over and it is quite likely to taste a little bit different each and every time it is made.

Cajun food is often made even more delicious or mysterious simply by the mood of the one doing the cooking. I'm sure that many of you have watched as Emeril Lagasse makes some special concoction and exclaims 'Bam!The major reason for this is that in addition to being an art form in and of itself,

There is a reason that many southern cooked dishes are referred to as soul food and you should not for one second forget that New Orleans is in the heart of the Deep South.there is a good bit of that when it comes to Cajun cooking. Something that goes far beyond the ingredients in the recipe and somewhere into the heart and the soul of the cook in question.

It is nearly impossible to find the fresh seasonings and spices that are essential to most Cajun cuisine outside the heart of the old south.The most difficult thing, perhaps when it comes to preparing good Cajun dishes outside of the New Orleans region is finding the right ingredients.

It's no small task to find fresh crawfish and andouille sausage especially in a northern climate such as in Michigan. However, if Cajun food is what you crave to learn to prepare, you will need to find a way to get the ingredients that are required to make it right!

Specialty food shops or those that will special order might be your best bet. There are some grocers that will carry a limited stock of Cajun seasonings on their international food aisles. Keep in mind that these sources are extremely limited.

After you buy all the necessary food, now you play some jazz music while you cook to set the right atmosphere. Many of the favored Cajun meals need a good couple of hours to prepare in order to be slow cooked so this should be kept in mind beforehand.

The food will be ready in time and as the one cooking the food you must learn to accept that about Cajun food. It has a way of letting you know when it is ready that is almost mythical until you've experienced it for yourself.Cajun food is not to be rushed-much like the citizens of the Big Easy.

Cooking Cajun food can become a very emotional process for a lot of folks, as it will try your patience, wring out your talents, and sometimes take your energy. However, Cajun food is also some of the most delicious, richest food in our world. Mastering the skill to cook this amazing food makes you a slave to the flavor for decades to come.

About the Author:

No comments: