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Why is Monday Red Beans and Rice Day?

In the 19^th century, Monday typically was laundry day. Without a washing machine, the lady of the house tended to every article of clothing by hand. That didn’t leave much time for cooking, so dinner had to be something that required little attention. Enter the red kidney bean, brought to South Louisiana by those fleeing Haiti’s slave rebellion.

After soaking the night before, the beans were set on the stove with the “trinity,” the quintessential Cajun cooking base of onions, bell peppers and celery. It also was traditional to throw in the Sunday dinner’s ham bone for flavor. That’s now often replaced with sausage to complete a comfort food familiar to all South Louisiana dinner tables.

Serve your red beans over white rice and offer hot sauce so guests can make it as spicy as they’d like.

Here’s your  recipe for authentic Cajun red beans and rice:

1 pound dry kidney beans
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 stalks celery, chopped
6 cups water
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1 tablespoon parsley
1 teaspoon Beazell’s Cajun Seasoning
1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
4 cups water
2 cups long grain white rice

• Rinse beans, and then soak in a large pot of water overnight.

• In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic and celery in olive oil for 3-4 minutes.

• Rinse beans and transfer to a large pot with 6 cups water. Stir cooked vegetables into beans. Season with bay leaves, cayenne pepper, thyme, sage, parsley and Beazell’s. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2.5 hours.

• Stir sausage into beans and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.

• Meanwhile, prepare the rice. In a saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Honky Tonk Hometown

The Last Honky Tonk Music Series brings national acts to small communities across the country, creating a camaraderie between artists and music lovers.

The series is a volunteer network comprised of artists, venue owners, radio programmers, sponsors, music industry professionals and music lovers now headquartered in Morgan City, LA thanks to a partnership with D.a.T SaUcE.

“Morgan City, LA is now our ‘Honky Tonk Hometown,’ as it has become our National Headquarters for LHTMS,” Chief Administrator Brigitte London said.

“Our office is located in Morgan City in the building of our national sponsor, D.a.T. SaUcE. on Hwy. 182 E. We are excited about all of the musicians we bring to the area on a weekly basis, in addition to the wonderful local talent that currently exists. We intend on creating a music destination in this beautiful bayou country with events, festivals and visitors to our headquarters location,” she added. 

The Last Honky Tonk Music Series is a historic Roots Music Series featuring national artists performing in official venues on a weekly, monthly or seasonal basis, depending on the venue. From small honky tonks to large outdoor arenas, shows vary in size and structure with solo acoustic performances and full band shows featuring artists in the roots country, southern rock, blues, folk, Americana, outlaw country and bluegrass genres who are committed to bringing authentic and powerful show performances to audiences of all sizes, cultures and creeds.

The Last Honky Tonk Music Series officially launched on March 23, 2014 at Bobby Mackey’s Music World in Wilder, KY. Since then, hundreds of shows have taken place across the United States.

Get Social with #CajunCoast: Featured Photo

Instagram poster @tltickets, whose real name is Tara Gauthreaux, has a feed full primarily of one gorgeous nature shot after another.

If she is a painter of sunrises, sunsets and gorgeous skyscapes, then Louisiana is her canvas.

This shot, captured in April, particularly captured our hearts because of its subject – Cypremort Point State Park.

Scrolling through Instagram, it’s hard not to be taken with the striking sunsets that are consistently posted from Cypremort Point. Whether staying in the cabins there overnight or visiting for the day to fish, lounge on the beach, observe abundant wildlife or launch a boat for watersports, it seems that all visitors are taken with the magnificent sunrises and sunsets that overlook the Gulf of Mexico from this vantage point.

When you’re given a canvas this magnificent, you simply must hold onto it as long as you can.

Family-Friendly Activities on the #CajunCoast

Temperatures are soaring and the kids need something constructive to do now that they’re out of school. Grab a snoball, put your feet up and review these family-friendly activities on the Cajun Coast.

 Swimming/ Splash/ Spray Parks/ Beaches

—Morgan City Public Pool, 611 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Morgan City, LA 70380, Phone: 985-380-4652

—Splash Pad, 1300 South Rd. Bayou Vista, LA 70380, Phone: 985-395-6552

—Spray Park, 1333 Belleview Road Bayou Vista, LA 70380, Phone: 985-395-6552

—Lake End Park, 2300 Hwy. 70 Morgan City, LA 70380, Phone: 985-380-4623 (beach, fishing)

—Cypremort Point State Park, 306 Beach Lane Cypremort Point, LA 70538, Phone: 337-867-4510 (beach, fishing)

Movies

—Fairview Cinema – 1515 Anthony Street, Bayou Vista, LA 70380, Phone: (985) 399-7469

—Lake Cinema – 1030 Ninth Street Morgan City, LA 70380, Phone: (985) 384-0280 *Free children’s summer movies through July 28, 2016. Click to see specific movies, dates and times.

Bowling Alley

—Charlie’s Lanes, 7722 Hwy. 182 East Morgan City, LA 70380, Phone: (985) 384-3510
*Summer Special: $5 All-You-Can-Bowl, Monday – Friday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 1p.m. to 6 p.m.

Skate Parks

—Morgan City Skate Park, 611 Myrtle St., Morgan City, LA 70380 Phone: (985) 380-4600

—The Swamp, 1300 South Rd., Bayou Vista, LA 70380, Phone: (985) 395-6552

—Franklin Skate Park, 1400 – 1410 Barrow Street, Franklin, LA 70538, Phone: (337) 828-3631

Mini Golf

—Noah’s Mini Golf Adventures, 1300 South Road, Bayou Vista, LA 70380 Phone: 985-395-NOAH – 6624

Petting Zoo

—Morgan City Petting Zoo, 725 Myrtle Street, Morgan City, LA 70380, Phone: 985-384-3343

Nature Trails

—Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge Trails, 1725 Willow Street, Franklin, LA 70538 (office)
Visit Friends of the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge for directions to trail heads.

#SmallTownProblems, #BigDatingIssues

This week’s post is courtesy of KeenVision, author of the blog #ibedamned.

When you live in a small community, dating can be somewhat of a daunting bid; like buying shoes at the one shoe store in town and later wearing them in public only to find out that everyone else bought the same pair. But, if you’re lucky enough to find a cute one-of-a-kind designer brand, consider yourself the belle of the ball.

Small towns may also lack in optional dating scenes. However, you don’t have to go out of town or spend a lot of money to have a good time. Sometimes, the best locale is off-the-beaten path and unspoiled. First dates may be awkward but they can also be fun, if both parties are interested in trying new things. Dating doesn’t always have to be dinner and a movie. Be adventurous and remain open-minded.

Check out the following list for ideas that can offer multiple opportunities that will help you “break in your new shoes” but not break the bank:

If you’re the competitive type, try a night game of basketball. A game displaying physical strength and agility could show a number of positive attributes and even some negatives, like his metabolism level; how soon does he get winded or if he has a propensity for good sportsmanship. Trash talking’s not so bad either. It’s a display of his competitive yet playful side.

Enjoy a nice stroll at a park near a lake or just go fishing together. It might seem cliché, but parks and waterways are typically serene spaces. It also forces both of you to engage in conversation; talk about your pleasant childhood memories, hobbies, interests and personal goals. Fishing can also show if a man is sensitive to the outdoors; a likely turn-off if you’re a rough and rugged kinda gal. And, sunsets! They’re a perfect end to any date; whether good or bad. It could either be a set up to a sweet smooch or a sweet goodbye.

Attend an outdoor concert or festival. Music speaks to the soul. Really, it does! Listening to music together can answer three things: 1) Does he have rhythm? 2) Do you have similar musical tastes? and 3) How well does he function around crowds? These are three important clues that may dictate the possibility of subsequent dates.

Go to a gun range. What woman doesn’t want to feel protected? And, what man doesn’t love a woman who can stand her ground in the face of danger? Some outdoor shooting ranges are free to the public. Just make an appointment, bring your own gun and ammunition.

Try a nature trail. This ain’t your regular bag of nuts and berries. It’s likely a testament to your potential future relationship. On this date, make it a point to get a little intimate…on a platonic level. Here’s how: spray and rub mosquito repellent on each other, bring a light lunch, take pictures of the scenery and of each other. While in nature, let nature do what it does best; allow it to take its natural course.

Watch thespians on stage. AKA, attend a play at a small theatre. There’s likely a fee attached but it’s nominal. And, often times, the money stays in-house to fund additional stage plays or renovations. Small theatre houses offer a quaint, quiet atmosphere and during intermission you can discuss the acts and actors as if you were play critics.

Go fly a kite, literally! Go to a wide open space like a nearby beach and fly a kite. It’s not an activity just for children, it’s for the kid at heart. At the end of your flight, pull out the blanket and have a picnic. It’s even more memorable if your date owns a pickup truck. Jump in the back and enjoy the sunset.

Dinner and a movie, why not? It’s not just any type of dinner. It’s Iron Chef meets Love Connection. If you’re pretty comfortable with the person, invite him or her over to your home and create a challenge that’s sure to get more than just your burners hot. Top it off with a movie. If you’re not a really good cook, that’s ok. I suggest a horror or suspenseful movie. That way, the scariest thing about the date would be the movie and not your cooking.

Go to a museum. You don’t have to be a hipster to enjoy fine art or exhibits. Art is all about interpretation. You might just learn something new.

Invite mutual friends over for a game night. Group settings are great ways to learn about each other as well as the caliber of friends he’s acquired. After all, birds of a feather flock together. Game nights are increasingly becoming the new adult craze in large cities. Why not make it an event in your own home or neutral site. And, if you don’t hit it off, maybe you help a fellow friend find the man of her dreams.

Who knew that living in a small town could offer such a plethora of date activities? Keep in mind that you will probably become hungry during the date, so make sure to be financially ready to fork over a few dollars for a meal, if you’re going dutch. Compiling the list was pretty easy. Now, it’s up to you to find the right companion.

Like this #ibedamned blog? Don’t forget to share the page with your friends and make sure to visit KeenVision’s home on the web.

KeenVision, is a journalist who moonlights as a blogger sharing stories often untold but worthy of attention. Follow the rantings of an introverted extrovert, people watcher and old soul at ibedamned.wordpress.com.

The Siren Song of Barbecue in the Summer

The smell of steaks sizzling on an open grill is a Siren song few can refuse.

It’s a summer staple built right into our DNA. Cooking with fire, which evolved into the modern barbecue, allowed early man to char his catch before digesting his protein.

Things have changed a bit since the early hominids’ version of cooking took hold.

In the U.S., there are several styles of barbecue that vary regionally. While there are 4 main styles, there are dozens of variations. Chefs cook their meat low and slow and usually use some kind of wood as their fuel, but the similarities end there.

–Memphis: Usually uses a dry rub that includes garlic, paprika and other spices. Meat, usually pork ribs, is cooked in a big pit. If Memphis-style barbecue is served “wet,” it’s typically served with a tangy tomato-based sauce.

–Kansas City: A wide variety of meats are cooked slow and low in a pit. The sauce is typically a thick, sweet molasses and tomato based mix. All meats are equally celebrated in Kansas City-style cooking.

–Carolina: Meat, typically pork, is slow roasted over fire pits and sauces vary from a pepper vinegar style in coastal areas to thicker tomato-based varieties in the Appalachians as well as the signature blend of sweet and tangy mustard, vinegar, brown sugar and spices.

–Texas: The secret to Texas barbecue isn’t a specific sauce or technique – it’s all about the meat which is smoked. Flavors vary wildly depending on which part of the state you’re visiting.

Think you’re a master of the grill?

You can prove it when you match up with barbecue teams from across the state at the 5th annual Bayou BBQ Bash will take place July 22 – 23. It takes place rain or shine, under the U.S. 90 bridge in downtown Morgan City.

The event, held at the corner of Second and Greenwood streets, is a BCA Sanctioned State Championship BBQ Competition. In addition to the competitive teams, locals can get in on the action.  There will also be a Corporate Cooking Team Throw-Down Challenge for bragging rights as the best corporate company cooking team in St. Mary Parish and a local competition to name the top St. Mary Parish BBQ Team that anyone can enter.

The teams are competing for a minimum of $4,000 in prize money and a 10 karat gold ring – designed by Klutts Jewelers and valued at $1,400 – that will be awarded to the grand champion.

Also, on July 23, there will be barbecue competitions for children. Known as the Cannata’s Kids Q, children compete in two divisions: 13 – 17 years old will cook chicken legs and 12 years & under will cook pork chops.

For printable forms:

BBQ Bash Team Form

BBQ Bash Kids Q