Poor ol' Cajuns. Shrimp again?

 

 Those ‘poor’ ol’ Cajuns have to eat shrimp

 

Cajun historian Jim LaBove says his family figured they were “poor” as they lived off the land in Sabine Pass.

All they had to eat was shrimp and crab and such.

The seafood we now consider a treat was what LaBove helped his dad harvest from waters of Sabine Pass. Cotton’s Seafood sold fish, oysters, shrimp and crab to Granger’s Seafood and fed many a family over the decades. If you “broke” an oyster shell cluster on the boat, you had to eat it. No waste for these Cajuns.

 

          “Food was all we had,” LaBove said.

         

          It’s still a pretty good thing to have.

          LaBove shared some history and passion recently for an interactive program. The interaction is that attendees got to eat a fusion variation of his family’s recipes.

 Between servings of Crawfish French Bread, Chicken and Oyster Gumbo, LaBove discussed roux, gardening and the noble profession of bootlegging, a family tradition.

 

          A slide show accompanied the event at the Center for History and Culture of Southeast Texas and the Upper Gulf Coast at Lamar University. Also on the menu:

Redfish Courtbouillion Served over Cajun Fried Rice and Peach Ice Cream Served with Fruit Cobbler.

          An author and artist, LaBove wrote letters of support to legislators who have recognized Port Arthur as the official Cajun Capital of Texas.

 

As a child, LaBove said his sisters wanted nothing to do with him so he hung out with his mother in the kitchen. Washtubs past their prime became planters for green onions and parsley. The family gathered and dried leaves for file.

The LaBoves bartered for rice and flour for baking bread.

          Cajuns, he said, love Mardi Gras, gumbo and a good fais do do.

“The big, scary thing is making roux, but you can’t learn unless you burn it one time,” he said his mother preached.

          “Food evolves. Make it your own,” the family advocates.

Chef Casey Gates, Chef Traci Gates and Chef Ashley Fisher prepped the food for the Feb. 19 event and the night involved Gates’ culinary students. Adam Nemmers, the center’s assistant director, interviewed LaBove at the program’s end.

Labove’s books, wildlife art and other works can be found at www.cottons-seafood.com

 

 Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who’s grandma Anita Huval hailed from Breaux Bridge, La. Reach Doiron at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Get green and eat the rewards

 

The greening of the neighborhood is a miracle to me every year. I especially love it when pretty plantings yield edible prizes. Check out these books to inspire you to make everything from a living Zoom meeting background to the freshest salads around.

“Verdura: Living a Garden of Life” – I thought Wonder Bowl Garden would be my project. Plant creeping, carpet-like plants in a wide bowl and place your treasures inside. I’m thinking shells, coins and broken jewelry I find and cool rocks. It’s a natural, textural display. Then I saw the baker’s rack kind of deal, “Propagation Wall Station.” Display jars of cuttings and follow them as they mature. Is a beautiful display that will ongoingly supply you with plants. Or, fashion a standing candelabra into a planter. Upcycle a tire into a planter. Hang a basket from a banana hook. Growing something is half the fun. Making it look amazing is the rest. Perla Sofia Curbelo-Santiago of Agrochic.com gives us “Verdura: Living a Garden of Life: 30 Projects to Nurture Your Passion for Plants & Find Your Bliss.”

 

A Keeping Track Journal – Linda Vater created “The Garden Journal: A 5-Year Record of Your Home Garden,” a beautiful hard-cover book designed for daily notes on garden victories, hopes and chores. Some garden diva you know needs this. Perhaps it is you. Maybe it’s that generous soul who shares her zucchini. There’s space for contractors and services provided, tips on forcing branches, etc. lovely illustrations and seasonal checklists. Here’s what we can be doing now:

 

Winter checklist:

·        Plant dormant trees and shrubs

·        Feed the birds and keep birdbaths full

·        Prune dead branches and crossed limbs in trees

·        Look for topiaries and get supplies for seed starting

·        Enjoy fresh-cut bouquets of blooming bulbs

·        Sharpen and oil tools

·        Clean out potting shed on a mild day

“The Complete Guide to Vegetable Gardening: Create, Cultivate, and Care for Your Perfect Edible Garden” - Of all the helpful advice in this one, I’m focusing on finding companions. As in friends of cabbage include bush beans, beets, celery, chamomile, dill, mint, onion, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme. Plant them together and they help each other out. (Cabbage foes include pole beans, mustard, strawberry and tomato.) Photos help tell the story in an easy way for novices. This is from the editors of GardeningKnowHow.com, said to be the world’s most visited gardening resource.

"Growing an Edible Landscape" -  I'd love to step into a colorful yard full of bok choi, sage and walking onions. Eat your plants from a salad, herb, tea or greens garden? Yes. Raised beds, containers, spirals and keyholes can dot your space. Homeowners association keeping you in check? This book offers ways to hide your edibles in plain sight, with more flowering edibles. Sneaky huh? You rulebreaker, you. Gary Pilarchik of the Rusted Garden and Chiara D'Amore of The Community Ecology Institute, say out with the lawn and in with the food. Compost now, even before you plan.

 "The Cut Flower Handbook" - Basil. It's not just for Italian food anymore. Let's get that herb into floral arrangements. Step into you yard to cut colorful snapdragons, sunflowers and cornflowers to arrange to your heart's content... and maybe even make some cash. If you're into pinching, mulching and blooming, Lisa Mason Ziegler of The Gardener's Workshop gets you. Consider flowers for long vase life and tall stems, those that hold petals and boast strong necks and are productive and pollenless. Discover cleverly-named beauties such as winged everlasting. I agree, big showy cabbages and kale pop in an arrangement. 

 “The Layered Edible Garden” – Are you counting oak and redbuds in your edible garden? They fall into the canopy and subcanopy layers from Christina Chung of Fluent Garden. A beginners guide from ground covers to trees, it’s amazing to discover how so many influencers a garden can boast. Theres a surprise on every page. I had a favorite low redubud that was just my size as a kid. If I knew then I could eat those pinky buds, I’d have put them on cupcakes instead of just mud pies.

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie whose ideal garden would be mainly edible, entirely colorful and seasonally aromatic. Share ideas with her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Rainbows right here

 

This year when the calendar says Feb. 14, it’s time to think of your sweetheart, being a sweetheart to someone else and for me, the Lenten season. Some chocolate maybe, but a move toward the best health.

I heard a leader suggest having a word of the season, as opposed to a “resolution,” which can maybe not go like you planned. “Shift” is my Lenten word. I’m ready to move around a bit.

Now here’s a little roundup that could come under two words: “Love Yourself.”  

Jessica Swift creates rainbow art and says trying new things is good. I know she’s not just referring to new flavors, but a new life outlook. “Radiant Rainbows: 80 Heart Healing Meditations” is a colorful “deck of cards” with messages and art on the front and thought-provoking questions (and more art) on the back. I’d just put them on a table and flip one over to consider for the day. Gibbs Smith distributes this box of healing. Some notions:

·       Trying new things might be good for me.

·       Tiny miracles are happening all around me.

·       My healing journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

·       Some days are just extra hard.

·       I can offer the same love to myself that I would give to someone I hold dear.

Would you feel better about kale if Chuck Norris was into it? Do you connect the phrases roundhouse and kick with this masculine legend? Need a Morning Kick? I’ve been kicking with Roundhouse Provisions, a green powder to add to a morning drink “designed to aid healthy digestion, support overall nutrient absorption…” Now hear this one, “help you manage stress.” This ritual is not something I’d seek, but it found me and I’m glad. I feel good! This is a Chuck Norris product is also designed to prep you for emergency situations. Get ready with other items in the line including Gut Strike and Three Hit Combo. www.roundhouseprovisions.com

 Medical professionals have their own style, based on being on their feet all day. I’m making my 10,000 steps a day in Infinity Footwear stretchy, sporty shoes and the compliments are coming. They look sleek and feel great with a feather-light AERON™ EVA midsole. An oil- and slip-resistant rubber outer sole means they don’t skip on a flat floor like other shoes I’ve had. There’s good support, many colors and an antimicrobial treated insole and lining to reduce odor-causing bacteria. Get moving. https://medicalscrubscollection.com/infinity-footwear-infinity-footwear-womens-infinite-infinite

     AHA! – That’s Alpha Hydroxy Acid and I’m a believer. Alpha Skin has been around for 30 years and offers AHA products that don’t cost and arm and a leg, but keep them looking and feeling great. Look for bundles, the way the lotion makes you feel just right and the way the sea mist body wash takes you to the shore. Lent is my season to exfoliate in many ways.

 I guess everyone in Brazil has great hair? Pure Brazilian Daily Anti-Frizz Shampoo, Conditioner, Serum and Deep Conditioning Masque is derived from the creator’s love-at-first-try reaction to some keratin protein, cocoa seed butter, bamboo, amino acids and Acai. So if loving yourself means embracing your frizz, that’s cool. But I think you’ll love the way this line makes you feel a little more sleek, fragrant and healthy.

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie who knows taking care of oneself helps you take care of others. darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Hey Valentine!

Hey Valentine! I’m talking to you. Don’t let Cupid tell you this is a for-lovers-only holiday. Send a paper heart and hug to neighbors, shop people, teachers, etc. Who doesn’t need a sweet thought and perhaps a sweet treat. I often like to buck trends, but I’m pretty sure flowers and chocolates will be a hit with anyone you want to gift with joy. Here are some edible sweeties:

Sugar Plum - Janis Joplin fans here in her home town of Port Arthur may choose Piece of My Heart shapes. Very unique. Others may be feeling smashing a chocolate pizza heart with enclosed mallet is more their style. Pops? They got ‘em. I’m relishing a box of truffles in a classic heart box. Don’t break you heart if you’re out of time…. Sugar Plum is prepared for an array of holidays and celebrations. www.sugar-plum.com

Whose Your Oat Boss? – How to describe the Oat Boss mascot? He’s a big-eyed oat with a rolling pin and chef’s hat. A friendly sort. How to describe Oat Boss Granola Butter in flavors such as chocolate chip, donut, original and blueberry? A crunchy, creamy version of nut butter? A sweet pick-me-up to make a great day even better? Snack time manna for people with certain food allergies? Could call it a Valentine for those who must avoid nuts, gluten, soy and dairy. A dad designed it for his daughter and we are thanking this family for Granola Butter coming proudly out of Denver, Colorado. Oats, coconut oil and honey create jars of creamy heaven that could become addictive. Directions: Spread, blend or drizzle, and save some for me.

Old School? – If you like granola the old-fashioned way, I’d still consider Jessica’s Natural Foods version as a modern twist, because these amazing gluten-free are made with attention to today’s health needs. There’s no trans fat, or cholesterol. I’m hopelessly addicted to variations topping yogurt, blended banana, apples and more. I can personally vouch for the flavor, crunchiness, wholesomeness and yummy factor of Almond Cherry, Vanilla Maple, Pecan Almond and Chocolate Chip. You know, I haven’t tried it in milk, but I bet that would work, too! www.jessicasnaturalfoods.com

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Athur area foodie sweet on spreading joy this Valentine’s Day. Share how you do it at darraghcastillo@icloud.com