Tom E. Gunn Celebrates National Louisiana Day by Freezing to Death

Today is National Louisiana Day, and I will be celebrating my home state by trying to stay warm in this frozen wasteland. Seriously, the high today here in the Corridor is about 25 degrees colder than the high back home in Shreveport. But that's OK, because I carry the warmth of the Bayou State with me wherever I go! It's called Louisiana Hot Sauce, and it's right here in my pocket.

KIDDING!!

It's in my car.

Anyway...

There are plenty of ways you can celebrate National Louisiana Day with me.

1. Throw your own Mardi Gras Parade.

All you have to do is decorate your car with colorful baubles, then drive really slow while throwing out cheap plastic trinkets. Who wouldn't enjoy that...besides every person honking behind you.

2. Kiss an alligator.

Ok..actually..don't do that.

3. Eat like a Cajun.

Food in Louisiana isn't something we play around with. It is a way of life. There are a few places around here that says they have Cajun or Creole cuisine (I'm not going into the difference between Cajun and Creole because that's a long lecture on Louisiana history). One search turned up the Waterfront Seafood Market, who's menu featured gumbo and po-boys, two staples of Louisiana cuisine. I haven't tried it yet, but Google users have good things to say about them.

If you want a recipe for gumbo made by someone who is about as Cajun as Cajun can be, check out this video of an old episode of Justin Wilson's cooking show. Mr. Wilson is a hero across Louisiana, and one of the people responsible for bringing our state and our food to the attention of the rest of the country. Check it out when you get a chance...and NO... I will not translate.

Happy Louisiana Day and laissez les bon temps roulez!!