Cajun French: gris-gris (gree gree) – spell or charm
boudin (boo-dahn) – Cajun sausage
Voodoo is a religion practiced mainly in the Caribbean and also has a presence in New Orleans and south Louisiana. Although it is a religion, Voodoo also means a charm, spell, fetish, or curse which holds magical power. The Voodoo Doll represents the spirit of a specific person. One can talk to the doll as if talking to the person and have influences over that person – good or evil. In Cajun Louisiana we call putting spells on someone; putting the gris-gris on them.
Mais C’est Bon!
Enjoy!!
We don’t have a recipe for Voodoo Dolls, but we will pass on some good gris-gris and wish for you good times and good food. There is no recipe today; we have taken the day off to enjoy Juneau’s Cajun Meats smoked boudin with Dixie Blackened Voodoo Beer.
Juneau’s is on Highway 1 in Marksville, La. just across from the Paragon Casino. Juneau’s offers a variety of specialty meats and a few frozen products. Since we stopped eating animal products nine months ago, Juneau’s is the only reason we fall off the wagon. If we are in Marksville, and we are, we will splurge and get some smoked boudin. We have had a lot of boudin from various places and Juneau’s smoked boudin is the best we have had. (we are not paid to say this) There is a good balance of rice and meat in the boudin with just the right amount of “heat”. The “heat” lingers in your mouth and you enjoy the smoky taste. Juneau’s is a must for us. Boudin is a Cajun sausage traditionally stuffed with pork, rice and seasonings. Today boudin is also made with seafood as well as alligator. Per my Nonc Doo, the rice was used to stretch the meat and the rest is Cajun Tradition.
We do not drink much beer anymore either; wine is our drink of choice. Yet some Cajun food screams for beer and boudin is one of those foods. Dark beer is Laurie’s favorites and Dixie Voodoo lives up to her taste. To Laurie, the beer is dark, heavy, and full of flavor. We realize that Dixie Voodoo may not be easy to locate so if Abita Turbodog is available try it. Per Laurie, Turbodog is also dark, heavy, and full of flavor. For all you non beer drinkers, try Abita Root Beer – dark and flavor rich.
So on the Second Day of Christmas we wish for you good gis-gis — Boudin and Voodoo Beer!
