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If you're in Acadiana for any length of time, chances are good that someone will ask you if you've ever seen Cajun Karl the cook. I hadn't -until recently!I had the rare treat of speaking with this most fascinating man!
Karl Breaux is a French-speaking Cajun who has received awards from the governments of France and Louisiana for his efforts to promote the French language-and promote it he does! Karl is so enthusiastic about his culture, that when I had finished speaking with him I made a mental resolution to buy some tapes to learn French-this from someone who has always had a terrible time with foreign languages!
Karl speaks glowingly of 'spreading the love and culture' of his beloved Cajun country and is enthusiastic in describing programs he is planning for Black History month and Lafayette Heroes."I want to make certain that people know that Cajuns are doing more than fighting alligators from the backs of houseboats," he joked.
His family has been in the grocery business a good long while, so that explains his interest in food and food preparation. But the TV show on public access stations? Well that's another story!
Some time in the recent past his grandmother was watching a television show which supposedly showed how to do Cajun cooking. But what they did was so bad, his grandmother wound up yelling at the TV set! That's when Karl got the idea that he could certainly do a better job-so why not try it? And that's just exactly what he did! And good thing too! The kinds and variety you will find on his recipe page stagger the imagination!
Here's just a part of the list: Magee's Landing Deer Backstrap; Gumbo chicken and sausage for 250 people; Pappa Breaux's Squirrel supper; Acadian Village/L.A.R.C.-fried chicken; CODIFIL/Festival Acadian-Muffalata/Poboys; Indian Hills C.C./Shrimp Stew with Eggs;Alligator sauce picante;Sac-a-Lat at Cypress Cove Landing and Acadian Memorial Jambalaya.
Or try Cameron Parish Duck Gumbo;Murray Manor Linguini with Clam Sauce;Fire Safety Pork Fricassee/Butter Beans;or Baked Duck Landry! Even the pickiest eater is sure to find something of interest on Cajun Karl's recipe section!
At a loss as to where you can find the 'makins' for Cajun Karl's recipes? Don't worry-he has that base covered too. Just check Cajun Karl's Pantry which has such favorites as community Coffee Dark Roast, Istre's Hot Boudin or the very very famous Tony Chachere's Tur-duc-en!
Planning a party or want some pleasant background music while eating your cooking creations? Karl sells CDs with music in the Cajun French tradition! For example the 2000 debut CD by the Cajun band Chaivari. The band's name is a reference to the tradition in Cajun cluture in which celebrants throw a big party for the bridge and groom on the night of their wedding. On this CD most of the material is written by band members Randy Vidrine and Mitchell Reed. Just put on "The Monkey and the Fiddle" and find someone who wants to dance with you!(After you've had some of Cajun Karl's cooking!)
Karl works with his family in their supermarket and has cooked for many years at hunting camps, family outings, and many public events. He has a unique way of enjoying Louisiana's Paradise while showing how a real and true Cajun cooks the traditional meals as well as the modern methods of preparing great home cooked meals. Karl's favorite saying is "Love everyone and have fun while we live a true Cajun experience."
Cajun Karl's Cook'n And Adventures Show is being taped now for distribution in Louisiana and surrounding states. It will soon be airing in Arkansas and the MAritime Provinces of Canada.
Cajun Karl is on FOX, the Kingwood Channel in Houston, KDCG TV 22 in Opelousas and Public access in Lafayette. For advertising opportunities or to contact Cajun Karl e-mail him at cajunkarl@cox.net. You'll be glad you did!
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