Destinations Diva

     Holidays are the main feature of Cajun culture. Among the most celebrated holidays (including Christmas and Mardi Gras), Easter is one of the top holidays which Cajuns celebrate.  While many families have begun to have annual crawfish boils, a traditional Easter gathering includes a menu of down home favorites.  Although holiday gatherings usually involve rich and heavy dishes, my holiday menu offers a few on the lighter side.  Below are some great recipes for appetizers, sides, entrees, and desserts. Appetizers Number 1 Granny's Shrimp Mold No. 2  Crawfish Bread        I first came across this recipe in the newspaper but I decided to simplify it by using  crescent dough and peeled crawfish tails. The braided bread looks beautiful when baked so be sure to display it whole before serving it. No. 3  Nutty Pineapple Cheese Spread Soup     Some might think it strange to serve soup on a warm Easter Sunday in Loui...

I routinely find myself traveling down a very familiar stretch of I-10 in Louisiana between Baton Rouge and Lafayette.  I like to call it the "Cajun Stretch" of Louisiana highway.  Along this well traveled roadway are places and towns so unique they are unmatched anywhere in the world.  Crossing the Atchafalaya Basin bridge has a magical beauty.  When crossing it, I imagine the Louisiana wildlife living there, but hiding from my view, alligators, turtles, Louisiana black bears, egrets and more.  The Atchafalaya Welcome Center on I-10 at the Butte La Rose exit is no  ordinary rest area.  You are welcomed by the staff to try a sample of Louisiana coffee while you peruse the tourism materials and get advice on local travel.  You can even shop for gifts and watch a fantastic movie based on the Atchafalaya Basin. Small towns you'll pass on this stretch are Breaux Bridge, Cecelia and Henderson where you can do a swamp tour and dance during breakfast ...

Just outside Lafayette, Louisiana is the quaint town of Scott.  The town  hosts antique shops, the Scott Historical Society, coffee shops, and such.  However, Scott is quickly becoming famous for one main attraction--boudin. Boudin (boo-dahn', non-Cajuns often misspell it as boudain) is a "sausage" filled with a spicy combination of rice and pork (and sometimes alligator or crawfish).  Boudin can be found in the traditional link style and is usually prepared by steaming the links.  Other versions of the popular Cajun delicacy are smoked boudin links or boudin balls.  In April, Scott hosts the Scott International Boudin Festival which is quickly growing in popularity on the festival scene in Louisiana.  The festival features live music, arts and crafts, and a sumptuous line-up of edible Louisiana creations.   Scott became the boudin capital of the world when "boudin shops" sprang up around town.  A couple of boudin places have been in Sc...