I tried a new thing...

I attempted to make a batch of boudin night before last. I do this when I'm trying desperately to lose weight again...I cook, bake, concoct, and dream up things I've never attempted before and surprisingly, I don't eat as much. Seems contradictory to say the least, but it works. By the time I'm done tasting it, I don't wanna eat it so I begin the clean up process and by the time that's over...I don't care if I ever see food again. (I'm a clean freak who hates cleaning. Again, contradictory. What can I say?) Last summer, I made more zucchini muffins than Betty Crocker could shake a stick at and I didn't gain an ounce! Of course, I didn't lose any either but in these "gaining" times, the plateau periods are fond, fond memories.



So, back to boudin, a FANTASTIC Cajun sausage that I hadn't had since I visited my uncle's family when I was 15. I ate so many things that week that I haven't had since. Man, those folks know how to throw ordinary things into a pot and make it taste like a million bucks. I've been hooked on Cajun cookin' ever since, but nothing I've tasted since matches up. Until...



I stopped over at Mom's a couple of weekends ago and she'd grilled and on the plate was a familiar looking sausage link and I had to take a bite. Sure enough, bonafied Cajun food! But, it'd been given to my brother-in-law by a coworker who lives in Louisiana. Of course it hadn't been purchased here in the Sooner state. But, I studied it long and hard and decided I could make it if it couldn't be ordered off the 'net. Thus began my search. I soon discovered that this little delicacy involved pig livers and lamb intestines (so much for the idea that they threw ordinary things in those pots). So, ordering prepared boudin online was out of the question. Too many flashbacks to my sophomore year and the tour of the lamb-slaughter plant in Denver, CO...I'll never forget the way that lady worked so hard to clean out those intestines...or the way another little lady wielded a meat hook. Ugh. Clean, dirty...intestine is STILL intestine and I couldn't knowingly chomp down one. Sometimes, ignorance truly is bliss.



I decided deer or beef could be substituted and I'd make my own. I also discovered I could order synthetic sausage casing that stands up to grilling but can be removed before eating. Yay! Well, Round #1 was not entirely successful...it tasted okay, but the consistency was crap. Reminded me of baby food...pasty. Let's just say it was nasty. I promptly threw it out before I ruined boudin for myself forever. I shall try again at a later date. Probably much later and most likely, never again......did I mention I hate cleaning??