Cajun French is different from the language spoke in France. Acadians migrated from France over 300 years ago. Just as Americans speak English differently after being separated from England for hundreds of years, the same is true of the Acadians. Here is a few of my favorite Cajun phrases: Bon Appetite! Enjoy! Bonjour Mes Amis Good day my friends. Ca c'est bon That's good! C'est magnifique That is great! Faire des commissions buy groceries, making grocery bill Fais do do   Traditional Cajun dance or party Lagniappe  An unexpected nice surprise. Laissez les bon temps roulet  Let the good times roll! Mamere Maw maw or Grandma Merci Beaucoup Thank you very much. Mon cher My dear. Mouche a mielle Honey bee...

In New Orleans lingo, Gumbo Ya-Ya means everyone talking at once, usually at a large gathering or party. Making a roux is tricky and will take time to get to the desired color. However, a properly cooked roux is the backbone of this dish, and once mastered, you will love using it in all types of gumbos, soups, and stews. GATHER YOUR GROCERIES: 1 ¼ cups vegetable oil 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 large onion, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 8 cups chicken stock or broth 3 cans of beer, your favorite 1 tablespoon sea salt ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon white pepper ½ teaspoon dried thyme 4 cloves minced garlic 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon dried parsley ½ pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/4 inch-thick slices 1 pound roasted chicken, boned THE WAY TO DO IT: Open one can of beer and sip while cooking; you’re going to need it. Begin making your roux by preheating a thick pot using medium t...

In October 1975, when I was twelve years old, my baby sister Bonnie Blue was born. Baby girl had curly white-blond hair, a round cherub face, and bright blue eyes. Bonnie Blue looked like an adorable Gerber Baby; Drool and all. As the big sister, it was my job to babysit Bonnie when my parents were away. I didn't mind, and by the time she turned two, I would often carry her to the park near our house. The park had many fascinations; an ancient oak tree for climbing, swings and slides to entertain little sister, and most of all, Frampton. At the age of fourteen, I had discovered boys, and Frampton was the first object of my affection. Frampton was a teenage boy with long wavy red hair that resembled an Irish setter’s coat and chocolate brown eyes. He was trying to grow a mustache. However, the hairs had only grown on the sides of his mouth and not under his nose. My father, Honest Joe, had decreed that I was not allowed to date boys until I turned fifteen. Nobody went against ...

This Cajun-style catfish dish has just the right touch of spices to give your taste buds some savory flavors, and it's inexpensive and easy to cook. This recipe calls for the catfish to be cooked in a cast-iron skillet or large, heavy skillet. GATHER YOUR GROCERIES 6 thin boneless catfish fillets ½ teaspoon dried thyme ½ teaspoon dried oregano ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon white pepper 1 teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon paprika 2 sticks of butter, melted lemon wedges THE WAY TO DO IT Rinse the catfish fillets under running cold water and then pat dry with paper towels. Combine dried thyme leaves, dried oregano leaves, cayenne pepper, black pepper, white pepper, sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in a small bowl. Dip catfish fillets in the melted butter and sprinkle with seasoning mix. Be sure to thoroughly coat each fillet. Heat a black cast iron skillet until it is sco...

Cecil was Honest Joe's father, my grandfather, and a French-speaking Cajun born in Opelousas, Louisiana. Grandpa Cecil spent the latter part of his life living beside and fishing in the bayous of Terrebonne Parish. Cecil used round tar-dipped hoop nets and a small flat-bottom boat, called a pirogue, to bring in his favorite catch, catfish. Running catfish hoop nets was hard, back-breaking work, and those who made their living that way respected each other and looked out for one another. One night, just as Cecil was drifting asleep, he received a phone call from his close friend, his “podnah”, Jacques. Jacques told him, "I'm going away for a while, and I need you to take care of my nets and my dog." Cecil answered, "For sure! Where are you going?" Jacques said, "Just away" as the phone went dead. Grandpa harvested catfish from his friend's and his nets the following morning. When he finished his work, he piloted the pirogue back to his dock...