It’s no secret that the American people enjoy eating out. Whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner; people flock to restaurants on a daily basis. In fact, 34% of Americans head to restaurants once a week, and 54% of millennials head to restaurants three times a week. Luckily, there are so many restaurants to choose from if you want to eat out! However, the seafood restaurant is one of the most popular types of restaurants. Cajun cuisine and crawfish are special and healthy for diners. Here’s why!
In the seafood restaurant industry, lobster, crab, crawfish, shrimp mussels, and oysters are commonly found (and eaten, of course!). However, Cajun seafood is more than just eating food at the seafood restaurant. Firstly, cajun dishes include Jambalaya, Gumbo, Catfish Courtbouillon, and Crawfish Bisque, to name a few. Jambalaya contains shellfish, sausage, celery, and rice. It is known for its spicy flavor and heartiness, which is popular in cajun seafood recipes. Gumbo is a spicy seafood dish that contains seafood, meat, okra, and file seasoning. Catfish Courtbouillon is another spicy cajun dish that is similar to Gumbo. It contains catfish, celery, onion, peppers, tomatoes, and various seasoning. Crawfish Bisque is a creamy soup-like dish containing crawfish, onions, cream of potato soup, mushroom soup, onions, corn, and cajun seasonings. How did these spicy, hearty, creamy seafood dishes come about? Here’s the special history of cajun food!
Cajun cuisine developed from the Acadian immigrants. Acadians first settled their roots in France. However, they eventually moved and settled their roots in Canada. Unfortunately, they were exiled from Canada. Once again, they had to move and settle their roots elsewhere. So, the Acadian immigrants settled in Louisiana. Their roots were sewn in the swamps and bayous of Southern Louisiana. They created the spicy, hearty food that many individuals love. Acadians have their own language, they are unlike any other group of people, and their uniqueness makes the history of cajun cuisine even more special.
The Acadian immigrants also created crawfish. Since Acadians lived along bayous, crawfish were in ample supply. These little creatures lived in the slow moving waters of the bayous, and it was easy for the Acadians to collect them. It was added to their diet and their dishes. Today, crawfish is extremely popular. Crawfish is included in many seafood boils. Crawfish boils typically take place outside. They can be messy but fun! Crawfish boils contain crawfish (of course!), vegetables like corn and potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and spices. Everything is boiled, then typically spread out on newspapers. Then it’s time to dig in!
Cajun food and crawfish are in fact healthy for diners who enter the seafood restuarant. There are many health benefits people receive from eating seafood. Seafood is low in fat, high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, and fish (like the catfish in Catfish Courtbouillon) is low in cholesterol. Additionally, crawfish contains very little calories! One pound of tails only equal 82 calories. So, eat up the spicy, healthy heartiness of cajun food and crawfish!
