Cajun Veggie Stew

It has been a very sad week I must say. I am not going to extrapolate or elaborate out of respect for the directly concerned, plenty of tears and some kind laughter while reminiscing a memory for the love of a loved one, the unimaginable loss of a good soul now lost. Yes, it’s been a sad week… And a cold one too! It went right through me and believe it or not, I can take cold… To be honest, I have no choice. I remember the words my geography teacher once said to us, reliving his memories with us in a bitterly cold classroom, January 1985… While doing his military service in Germany ( if you were a bit of a hot head, they sent you to cool down there, or in Brest, either or, extremes from East and West, destinations with reputations…), he told us about different types of “cold”. Us pupils, listened to every word, his chattering misdemeanor, master of the banter and the unmistakable Corsican hand gestures, punctuating each sentence.

– ” You know, when I was in Germany, they sent us chopping wood in the forest; the “Capo” told us that he would make men out of us… It was – 10 Celsius, and I was only wearing what I am wearing now, a skinny jumper”! He said while pulling his sweater from the sternum area of his chest, eyes wide open, staring at the dilapidated piss-yellow wall of the back of the classroom.

– ” and do you know why I didn’t care? Why I didn’t feel the cold?” he harangued us while pointing his finger at the ceiling.

– ” it was a dry cold?” I said, quietly and in a quite uncertain tone.

– ” exactly” Mr Ferrara said, now pointing his index finger at me. ” Exactly” he hammered, closing his fist before bashing the blackboard, chalk dust flying everywhere. ” you see, there are different types of cold; dry cold and wet cold. And I know you Breton brats are all looking at the snow falling outside the window right now, it is what? – 1c outside? You are all anxious to get home, well that is a “wet cold” kids, and it will go through your bones! Cover well, go home, hug your Mum and Dad and we’ll see each other on the other side”.

While driving to work yesterday morning, I couldn’t stop thinking about my old teacher’s words; I knew I was running a bit late but I had to stop for a minute, take a shot or two, it is true… That wet cold will go through you!

You’ll Need:

• 2 organic carrots
• 1 large organic beetroot
• 3 organic sticks of celery
• 3 organic cloves of garlic
• 1 large organic onion
• 200g of organic flageolet ( butter) beans
• 500g of organic peeled tomatoes
• 1 tsp of the following spices and herbs: cayenne pepper, black pepper, paprika, cumin seeds, thyme ( and a hint of rosemary works well too).
• 1 glass ( 15 cl) of dry white wine
• Some extra virgin olive oil…

How To?

First, you need to sweat the root vegetables and aliums in some extra virgin olive oil. After 5 to 10 minutes, add the spices mix and keep stirring for another 5…

Pour the glass of white wine, let it reduce by half and add the chopped peeled tomatoes. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for at least an hour…

If you want a cool kinda design with your carrots, use what we call a ” Canneleur”, it makes really neat star shapes…

Et voilá…

Once the stew is cooked, serve with spinach, boiled potatoes or good rice. I love a hard boiled egg meself, but I’ll leave it up to you…

Keep Well and Eat Happy

Slán Tamall

Franck