Cooking With Cajun Women: Recipes and Remembrances From South Louisiana Kitchens (Hardcover)

~ Nicole Denee Fontenot (Author)
Key Phrases: cup chopped onion tops, add onion tops, cup chopped bell pepper, Side Dishes, Ella Mae Fontenot, Rose Fontenot (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In an effort to illustrate how the seemingly simple culinary traditions of rural South Louisiana and the women behind the stoves promote cultural preservation, Nicole Denée Fontenot spent two years interviewing Cajun women who grew up in the first half of the 20th century. She now presents her research in COOKING WITH CAJUN WOMEN: RECIPES AND REMEMBRANCES FROM SOUTH LOUISIANA KITCHENS, a cookbook featuring more than 300 recipes and as many anecdotes of times when everything (except coffee, sugar, and flour) was homemade.

These matriarchs shared traditional recipes now made with modern and simple ingredients that reflect the constantly changing influences on Cajun culture, especially as communities became more Americanized. COOKING WITH CAJUN WOMEN present classic Cajun dishes like Maque Choux Corn, Crawfish Etouffée, Seafood Gumbo, Fig Cake, and Pecan Pralines, along with unusual creations and other staple fares. An in-depth essay, "Twentieth-Century Cajun Women, Agents of Cultural Preservation," as well as answers to typical questions by non-Cajuns and an extensive resource guide complete this remarkable contribution to the perpetuation of the Cajuns’ heritage and history.

About the Author

NICOLE DENÉE FONTENOT holds a master’s degree in American history from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her research focuses on Cajun men and women and the preservation of Cajun culture. She lives in Louisiana.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781809320
• ISBN-13: 978-0781809320
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #183,873 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #42 in

  Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Regional & International > U.S. Regional > Cajun & Creole

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Cajun Recipe Book Ever!!!, January 18, 2003

By	S. Roberts (Louisiana, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am from southwest Louisiana and this is one of the best Cajun cookbooks I have ever bought! Most of the recipes are what my family has always prepared and still serve now. I recommend this book to everyone in Cajun country and to all of you that want to cook Cajun. A great gift for anyone that loves to cook. Ms. Fontenot has done an excellent job!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A simply terrific blend of cookbook, December 10, 2002

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Nicole Denee Fontenot spent two years interviewing Cajun women who grew up in the first half of the 20th century, and presents her research in Cooking With Cajun Women, a simply terrific blend of cookbook and anecdotes of older times when all food was homemade. Memories appear as highlighted sidebars to accompany dishes such as Fig Jam and Berry and Seafood Gumbo Cajun-Style.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cooking the Cajun-way all across the U.S.A., November 6, 2002

By A Customer

What a wonderful way to introduce everyone to Cajun food and the interesting people who live in this area! Nicole shares with her readers not only tried and true Cajun recipes but special moments in the lives of the authors of the recipes. Life has not always been easy for the Cajun people, especially the women who married young, mothered many children - some their own and other times those who happened by and ended up staying- worked along side her husband in the field, and went to church, always. Their stories represent their enduring faith, respect for Cajun traditions, strong family ties, and some of the best Cajun recipes that you will ever want to try. All of this is part of the Cooking with Cajun Women cookbook. I highly recommend it! You can try the recipes and while waiting for them to cook ( and enjoying the delicious aroma that will soon fill the room), sit back (with a large cup of strong, hot Cajun coffee, if available) and read about the Cajun ladies who have shared their stories with Nicole. Oh yes, do I have a favorite recipe? I certainly do. Try the blackberry pie with the sweet dough crust - it is gooooooood!