cookin main header revised
back_to_topISSUE : APRIL 12, 2012
IN THIS ISSUE

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WWW.CAJUNDAUGHTERS.COM 
 
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WhatsCookingOnTheCajunCoast  

PUBLISHER / EDITORS:
Susan Arcement
Kaye Constant 

EMAIL:
[email protected]
[email protected] 
 
Bonjour! 
                                                     

 Cajun Daughters

 

All this beautiful south Louisiana weather had us itching to get out!  So we went for a visit to Jefferson Island this week.  The gardens were bursting with beautiful blooms and we toured the magnificent Rip Van Winkle home.  If you're ever in the New Iberia area, this is a must see!

 

For a one-pot dinner, try our Skillet Spaghetti.  I have herbs growing in my garden, so I substituted a tablespoon of fresh herbs each for the basil and oregano.  Mmmmm!

 

 Fresh herbs

 

Congratulations to Emily Irene Weaver of Groves, Texas!  She is this week's winner of an autographed copy of Mary Lynn Plaisance's In the Land of Sha Bebe!

 

Want a chance to win?  Just go to our Facebook page, What's Cooking on the Cajun Coast and join in the conversation!  Let us know what's cooking at your house or in your area.  We'll randomly pick someone to win from your posts!*

 
Always Cooking It Up,

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*For contest rules, click here.
heading1The Cajun Way
   
Skillet Spaghetti

 

Skillet Spaghetti

 

 Submitted by James Morvant

 

� cup oil 

1 medium onion, chopped

� cup celery, chopped
� cup bell pepper, chopped
1 lb. lean ground meat
2 8-oz. cans tomato sauce

4 cups hot water
1 tsp. salt
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. brown sugar
� tsp. oregano
� tsp. basil
1 8-oz. pkg. spaghetti

 

In large skillet, cook onions, celery, and bell pepper until wilted in oil. Add meat and brown. Add tomato sauce and simmer until oil reappears.

 

Add hot water, salt, garlic, brown sugar, oregano, and basil. Bring to a boil.

 

Break spaghetti and add to skillet. Reduce heat to barely boiling. Stir frequently and cook until spaghetti is tender.

 

heading2Cajun Coast Travel     JEFFERSON ISLAND
   
rip_van_winkle_gardens

Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island

by Susan Arcement

 

 

The gardens are bursting with color! -- the pink-flowered wax begonias, hues of reds and purples and white impatiens, wild violets here and there, and, of course, the iridescent turquoise and teal of the magnificent peacocks strutting along the winding paths. We soon came across the jasmine-covered fence circling a lily pond that was the source of the perfumed air that beckoned us along the pathway.

 

Caf� Jefferson is open daily for a leisurely lunch. Enjoy your sandwich or salad in the caf� or do as we did and sit at a wrought iron table under the moss-draped live oaks looking over tranquil Lake Peigneur.   Sam, one of the island's resident cats, may come by for a friendly visit and then take a refreshing cat nap on a seat while you have your meal.

 

Tours of the Joseph Jefferson Home are on the hour. The centerpiece of the gardens, the magnificent mansion is a combination of Moorish and Steamboat Gothic architecture. Jefferson, a renowned stage actor, built the home as a winter retreat in the late 1800s. He is best known for his stage portrayal of Rip Van Winkle, thus the name for the gardens.

 

Also on site is a gift shop and lovely b&b cottages with the gardens as your back yard. 

  

What Cajun Daughters Love about Rip Van Winkle Gardens:  A semi-tropical paradise, you'll love the tranquility and beauty of this garden.  The Jefferson House is the glorious jewel of the island.

 

heading3Hey Boudreaux! 

 

ONLY A FARM KID WOULD KNOW THIS...

 

Thibodaux drove to his neighbor, Boudreaux's, and knocked at the door.

   

Boudreaux's son, about 9, opened the door.

 

"Is your Pa home?"

 

"No sir, he isn't.  He went to town."

 

"Well, is your Mama here?"

 

"No sir, she went to town with Pa."

 

"How about your brother Howard? Is he here?"

 

"No sir, he went with Pa and Mama."

 

Thibodaux stood there for a few minutes, shifting from one foot to the other, and mumbling to himself.

 

"Is there anything I can do for you? I know where all the tools are if you want to borrow one, or I can give Pa a message."

 

"Well," said Thibodaux uncomfortably, "I really wanted to talk to your Pa.  It's about your brother Howard getting my daughter Suzie pregnant."'

 

The boy thought for a moment. "You would have to talk to Pa about that.  I know he charges $500 for the bull and $50 for the hog, but I don't know how much he charges for Howard."

  
heading4Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

April 12-14

DeQuincy

  

April 12-15

 

Downtown Crawfish Fest

Lake Charles


New Iberia

April 13

 

Morgan City

April 13-14

Morgan City
 
Parks

April 13-15
 
Jeanerette
 
Pine Prairie
 
April 14
 
Cut Off
 
New Iberia
 
April 15
 
Chauvin
 

Events are subject to change without notice.  It is best to confirm dates before making travel plans.

 

 

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