Michael Brooks
Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make a Roux? is a cookbook by renowned food writer and culinary historian Marcelle Bienvenu. The book takes readers on a culinary journey through Cajun and Creole cuisine, offering a glimpse into the rich culinary heritage of South Louisiana. With easy-to-follow instructions and family recipes, it invites readers to experience the warmth of Southern hospitality and the flavours of the Bayou. The book also includes vignettes of family life, celebrations, and sacramental occasions, providing a charming and authentic look at life in Cajun country.
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What You'll Learn
Cajun and Creole Cuisine
Creole cuisine is native to New Orleans and is considered slightly more refined and aristocratic than Cajun. Creole dishes are a fusion of various cultures, incorporating seafood from the Gulf of Mexico and tomatoes. Creole jambalaya, for example, typically includes the "holy trinity" of diced green bell peppers, onions, and celery, along with chicken, sausage, vegetables, tomatoes, and seafood. Creole gumbo also traditionally includes tomatoes, while the Cajun version does not. Creole roux is usually made with butter or bacon fat and flour, resulting in a lighter colour.
On the other hand, Cajun cuisine is often associated with the countryside and is considered simpler and more rustic. It is famous for its bold, spicy flavours and generous seasoning. Cajun jambalaya and gumbo do not feature tomatoes, and the gumbo has a bolder, meatier flavour. Crawfish is a staple in Cajun cooking, and it is commonly used in jambalaya and étouffée. Cajun roux is typically made with oil and flour, resulting in a darker colour.
Both cuisines showcase the blending of cultures in Southern Louisiana, with French-based roux, seafood, wild game, and African ingredients like okra. While Cajun food tends to be spicier and includes more pork and crawfish, Creole food incorporates more seafood and ingredients like tomatoes, shrimp, oysters, and crab.
Signature dishes of Louisiana, such as jambalaya, étouffée, and gumbo, are beloved comfort foods that bring together the flavours of the region. These dishes have distinct Creole and Cajun varieties, showcasing the unique characteristics of each cuisine.
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Family recipes
The phrase "Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux?" is the title of a cookbook by renowned food writer and culinary historian Marcelle Bienvenu. The book explores the rich culinary heritage of South Louisiana, inviting readers to experience the warmth of Southern hospitality through a variety of Cajun and Creole dishes. With clear, easy-to-follow instructions, it offers a glimpse into the folkways of South Louisiana, making it a treasured companion for chefs, home cooks, and those fascinated by the region's culture.
One can find a plethora of family recipes in Catholic culture, often associated with feast days and seasons. For instance, traditional Irish soda bread is baked for the feast of St. Brigid, while Divine Mercy cookies and tonsure mini-cakes are other sweet treats to mark special occasions. The bond between faith and food is evident in Catholic families, with resources and cookbooks dedicated to celebrating feast days and holidays through culinary delights.
In Bienvenu's cookbook, readers can discover a range of recipes that embody the essence of Cajun and Creole cuisine. One such dish is Backbone Stew (Reintier de Cochon), a hearty stew that captures the flavours of the bayou. Aunt Jenny's Daube Glacé and Poor Al's Fried Turkey are other mouthwatering creations that showcase the unique culinary traditions of South Louisiana.
Through cookbooks like "Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux?" and "Feast Day Cookbook: The Traditional Catholic Feast Day Dishes of Many Lands," families can explore and celebrate their faith and culture in the kitchen, creating memorable dishes that unite loved ones and honour time-honoured traditions.
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Life in Cajun country
Cajun Country, also known as Acadiana, is a region in South Central Louisiana, home to the state's majority Francophone population. It is a vibrant area with a deep-rooted and unique culture, a lively music scene, and mouth-watering cuisine. It is a place where family, food, and fun take centre stage. The roots of Cajun Country go back to 1755, when the British expelled over 12,000 French people from the Nova Scotia area. These Acadians were the ancestors of the Cajuns who populate the region today, bringing with them their French language, love of hunting, trapping, and fishing.
Cajun Country is made up of many small towns, each with its own unique character. Crowley, for example, is known for its rice industry, while Mamou is the place to go to dance the Cajun two-step. Breaux Bridge celebrates the crawfish harvest with a popular annual festival, and Eunice is home to the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, where you can experience the Cajun Grand Ole Opry. Lafayette, nicknamed "The Happiest City in America," is a thriving cultural hub with a charming downtown and delicious Cajun cuisine. The city is also home to the Acadian Village, a one-of-a-kind open-air museum that showcases early Arcadian life.
The Cajun culture is known for its joie de vivre mentality, where hospitality and sharing are a way of life. The Cajuns have historically mixed with neighbouring cultures, sharing their language, cuisine, and traditions. This has resulted in a unique blend of influences that sets Cajun Country apart. The people of Cajun Country are proud of their heritage and have worked hard to preserve their language, food, music, crafts, and other traditions.
Music lovers will find plenty to enjoy in Cajun Country, with venues offering Cajun, Zydeco, and blues music, as well as dancing and food. The region's natural wonders include the Atchafalaya Basin, the nation's largest river swamp, which provides a stunning combination of wetlands and river delta.
Whether you're looking for history, culture, nature, or just a good time, Cajun Country has something for everyone. It is a place where newcomers become friends in no time and where, as the locals say, "passing a good time" is not just for weekends but for every day.
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Celebrations and traditions
"Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make a Roux?" is a book by Marcelle Bienvenu that takes readers on a culinary journey through Cajun and Creole cuisine. The book is not just a collection of recipes but also a celebration of the traditions and flavours of South Louisiana.
The book includes family recipes and stories, transporting readers to the heart of Cajun culture and its unique traditions. One of the key traditions explored in the book is the importance of making connections and finding common ground with strangers, which is often done by asking about their mother's maiden name, their family, and their background. This tradition has deep roots in South Louisiana, especially among the Acadians who were deported from Nova Scotia in the 1750s and sought to reconnect with family in their new homeland.
The book covers a range of celebrations, both annual traditions and sacramental celebrations. For example, it mentions the sacrament of Holy Eucharist and Confirmations. The recipes in the book are not just for fine dining but are meant for family suppers, bringing people together to share a meal and create lasting memories.
One of the unique aspects of "Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make a Roux?" is how it weaves together stories, family photos, and recipes to create a tapestry of Cajun and Creole culture. It showcases how food is an integral part of life in South Louisiana and how it brings people together. The book includes a variety of dishes, from Backbone Stew (Reintier de Cochon) to Aunt Jenny's Daube Glacé and Poor Al's Fried Turkey, each with easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips.
Through her book, Marcelle Bienvenu invites readers to embrace the warmth of Southern hospitality and connect with the rich cultural heritage of South Louisiana. It is a celebration of food, family, and the unique traditions that make the region so special.
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The author's background
Marcelle Bienvenu, the author of 'Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux?', is a renowned food writer and culinary historian. She has been dubbed the "Queen of Cajun Cooking" and has been preparing Cajun and Creole dishes since the 1960s. Bienvenu is a native of St. Martinville, Louisiana, which is in the heart of Cajun country. She has written a weekly food column, 'Creole Cooking', for The Times Picayune of New Orleans since 1984. She has also contributed to magazines and newspapers such as Food & Wine, Southern Living, Redbook, and the New York Times. Her recipes and articles are regularly featured in Louisiana Cookin', CityLife, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Bienvenu's book takes readers on a journey through the rich culinary heritage of South Louisiana, offering a glimpse into the traditions and flavours of Cajun and Creole cuisine. The book includes clear, easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips for cooks of all skill levels. It also features family recipes and vignettes of family life, providing an authentic look at life and cooking in Cajun country.
In addition to her work as a food writer and columnist, Bienvenu has authored several cookbooks. 'Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic, and Can You Make A Roux?' is a two-volume series, with the first book published in 2008 and the second in 2009. She has also co-authored several cookbooks with renowned chef Emeril Lagasse, including 'Louisiana: Real & Rustic', 'Emeril's Creole Christmas', 'Emeril's TV Dinners', and 'Every Day's A Party'. She has also collaborated with Eula Mae Doré on 'Eula Mae's Cajun Kitchen' and worked with Carl A. Brasseaux and Ryan A. Brasseaux on 'Stir the Pot: The History of Cajun Cuisine'.
Bienvenu's expertise in Cajun and Creole cuisine has been recognised by various publications. Her book was praised by The New York Times in 2009 as "having what might be the best-named cookbook in America". It has also been described as a quintessential Cajun country cookbook and a treasured addition to any culinary collection.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a cookbook by Marcelle Bienvenu, featuring Cajun and Creole dishes.
The book contains family recipes and takes the reader through one year of celebrations, including annual celebrations and occasional sacramental celebrations like Confirmations and the Holy Eucharist.
The book is presented in story form, interspersing little vignettes of family life as the author grew up near St. Martinville, in the heart of Cajun country.
