Ancelet's on Wednesdays; Cajuns are Coming!

Ancelet’s Cajun Market makes some of the best cracklings around. The trick is to get there before they run out. Wednesday is the day to get them. If you are a big fan, I apologize for letting others know. Now you may have more competition. Treat yourself to a little paper sack full, and check out their other delicious offerings.

 

Cajun Hertage Festival – Get ready to pass a good time in the Cajun Capital of Texas. The next Cajun Heritage Festival rolls into Port Arthur on April 4. The bands, the food and the dancing is booked for the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center and you don’t want to miss it. Cajun Sounds Internet Live is the host and they always have fun ready for the whole family, including the kids. Get your tickets at www.csir.live

 

Depression Eats

“Don’t throw it away, it’s still good!” My dad lived through the Depression and he saved bags, jars and rubber bands, just as described in a cookbook my friend Missy passed to me. “Depression Era Recipes” offers some recipes and tips that folk back in the day used to round out the budget. Some recipes sound delicious and we still love them today. Other’s sound “out of place” in a world of drive-throughs and home delivery.

Entries include: Eggs in Prison, How to Render Lard, Oatmeal Sticks, Good Cake Without Frosting, Prune Whip and Dyspeptic Bread.

 

Surprises included:  

·       Stuffed Roast Racoon started with ingredients of sweet potatoes and raisins and apples. The final ingredient was really a “young racoon.” It’s not a dessert. It’s stuffed and sewn shut.

·       Stuffed Calf’s Heart includes pineapple juice. Tropical touch?

·       Oysters and oxtails were considered budget items. Now they high-dollar delicacies!

·       Liver Pudding. Not going there.

Finally, here are some tips that you may not find on Pinterest!

 

Hair setting Lotion

1 cup flax seed

3 cups water

Simmer seeds and water together for a few minutes. Strain and thin to desired consistency.

Vinegar Hair Rinse

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 quart water

Mix together. After shampooing, use as a final rinse to make your hair shine.

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie savoring all things Cajun. Share your family faves with her via panews@panews.com.

Al T's calls with cracklings.

 
    

  Winnie was a halfway point when my daughter wanted to meet us for Father’s Day. Al-T’s was suggested and I immediately began planning for cracklings.

                      These Southern bites of heaven are both crispy and soft, fat with fat and a true indulgence. They’re pricy but worth it.

                      Sometimes when I know I’m going to drive through Winnie, I lament that my source will be closed when I’m nearby.

                      Since it was Father’s Day, my husband agreed to this plan: I’d buy them and kind of hide them. Then I’d dole out a few pieces in the mornings to eat with eggs. Maybe there’d be a few for a snack now and then.

                      It was to be a don’t ask/don’t tell situation, so we wouldn’t eat the whole bag at once. He agreed. No contracts necessary.

                      It’s a good plan that hasn’t failed yet.

                      Remember, if you heat them slightly, they get even more soft and tempting.

                      As for the rest of the meal, we shared an “oinker,” which was meat with a blend of crawfish, corn and sausage on top. My daughter had a shrimp poboy and son-in-law ordered fried shrimp. Boudain balls all around preceded this feast.

                      Al-T’s has a new look and new management. If you haven’t been in a while, try it out and then head to the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge for an afternoon of birding, etc.

                      When we arrived at Al-T’s, I was tickled to see a beautiful brown horse in a trailer in the parking lot. We went over to talk to the horse. But we could not get it to respond to our conversation. We were sincerely hoping this horse would give a little winnie, in Winnie.

              darraghcastillo@icloud.com