Ugly {and Cajun Smothered Potatoes}

Down here we don't say something is rude or impolite.

We say that it's ugly.

A mother might tell her child:
"stop being ugly"     "don't be ugly"    "that's ugly"    "you were ugly to your brother"

We might say:
"you don't have to act ugly"   "he acted ugly to his mamma"   "let me stop being so ugly"

Ugly.

They say beauty is only skin deep.  Under that skin, some people have black, ugly little hearts.

This past summer I was snooping around through my blog traffic sources.  For kicks.  And boy did I get a kick.  An ugly kick.

One of my blog pictures was re-pinned to a Pinterest board.  A board titled along the lines of misunderstanding the idea behind Pinterest.  (I'm trying not to be ugly.  Specifics withheld)

An ugly comment was included.  Based on a few of this person's comments, it's safe to say that she may be scatologically fixated.

My picture and the blog post are from 2008.  Long before Pinterest.  It is also not something I ever pinned.  It has been shared & pinned often.  By other people.

Because they liked what they saw.

So why did this bother me so much?  Sure.  It hurt my feelings.  It was embarrassing.  But there's more to it than that.

The fact that this dish, Cajun Rice & Gravy, was added to someone's pinboard of fails...along with the comment "hot diarrhea vat" cuts at my culture.

People outside of Louisiana think that our (Louisianians) favorite dishes are gumbos and etouffees. Jambalayas and courtbouillons.  Because these things are romantic and exotic sounding.  Mysterious.  Enchanting.

It is certainly true that we love these things and cook them in our homes.  Yet if you were to ask a Cajun which dish he/she would most want to eat, it's very likely to be a simple rice and gravy.

No.  It isn't beautiful.   It isn't meant to be stunning restaurant food stacked high and (up)tight.  It's a dish that can be prepared economically.  It can feed many for not a lot.  It's real food that feeds hard-working people.  It's a dish that, while ugly, reminds everyone of their mammas and maw-maws.

I'd argue that some of the ugliest, messiest foods are the best.

Case in point: drippy roast beef po boys.

Another case in point: Cajun Smothered Potatoes

These potatoes are cooked down with smoked sausage (in my case, andouille) and onion, creating a flavorful sauce.  The potatoes drink up the "sauce" as they cook.  Leaving you with soft, almost mashed potatoes studded with savory bits of smoked sausage and onion.

It isn't pretty.
In fact, it's pretty damned ugly.
But it's also pretty damned good.

So pin this to your ugly Pinterest board.
I have a feeling people will know what's what.

Another version of Smothered Potatoes


Print It!

Cajun Smothered Potatoes

2 Tbsp bacon drippings
½ lb Andouille cut into half moons
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
4 Irish potatoes, cut into 1 “ cubes
1/2-3/4  tsp salt, or to taste
½ tsp black pepper
about ½ cup water

Heat bacon drippings in a large pot over medium heat.  Add the Andouille and onions.  After about 5-7 minutes when the onions have softened and start to brown, stir in the garlic, potatoes, salt, and pepper.   Sauté for about 7-8 minutes.  Add ½ cup water and cover.  Lower to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add more water during cooking if potatoes start to stick.

linking with: