Downs and Ups

This week's See Ya In the Gumbo is HERE.

Beloved Creole Tomatoes on the menu today.  In the form of a tomato-y, garlicky, creamy salad dressing.

But first a couple of ups and downs.

After registering The Boy for middle school, I found out that French classes have been cut as a result of my parish's horribly failed school budget.  (School librarians, nurses, and teacher's aides have also been cut.)  Yes, French classes cut in the middle of Acadiana where many street signs are printed in French.  Where grandparents go giddy conversing with their grandchildren in French.

The Boy's favorite class, in fact.

More and more often, children are being raised on McDonald's instead of being raised on rice & gravy.

Too often I see parents steer their children away from Cajun music, calling it "that old people chank-a-chank" instead of letting their children listen and form their own opinions.


Sometimes, though, there are little sparks of hope.

At the end-of-school skating party, the DJ played some zydeco music.  A bunch of the kids kicked off their skates and started dancing.  With their teachers even.
Really cool to see that.

Every summer The Boy attends The Louisiana Folk Roots Cajun & Creole Summer Camp for Kids.  And every year camp is overflowing with eager young accordionists, guitarists, and fiddle players.
Really cool to see that.

Another really, way cool thing to see was The Boy performing on the Rendez-vous des Cajuns show at the Liberty Theater in Eunice, LA.

This is a weekly show, in French, featuring Cajun and Creole bands.  The show is likened to a Cajun version of the Grand Ole Opry.  Young and old (admittedly, mostly old) gather on Saturday nights at the Liberty to listen and dance.

The Boy was invited to play 4 songs on stage July 28th.

His favorite song to play: 1755

The old people were thrilled to see a young squirt play "their" music.  Some of the kids in the audience were pretty darn into seeing one of their own playing on stage.

Sometimes I wonder about the fate of our culture--
about losing our language (which my generation doesn't speak)
about losing our music (which The Boy's generation doesn't seem to listen to)
about losing our food (which all generations don't seem to have the time to cook).

But maybe that's just silly talk.  Because there are those moments when the three mix together, forming something strong.  Cementing it all in an immovable bridge between young and old and in between.
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My mom introduced me to a local salad dressing--Creole Tomato Dressing from Cousins (pronounced Cooz-anh around here).  Unfortunately, the distribution area does not include my part of Louisiana.  I whipped up some at home and even though it isn't really like Cousins, I think this dressing will surface again.

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Creole Tomato Dressing

2 medium to large very ripe Creole tomatoes, quartered
1 clove garlic
2 Tbsp rough chopped parsley
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
pinch cayenne pepper
1 heaping Tbsp Creole mustard
1/4 cup mayonnaise

In a blender or food processor, puree tomatoes and garlic together.  Add in the remaining ingredients EXCEPT for the mayo.  Process until thoroughly mixed.  Pour into a bowl and whisk in the mayo to thicken and turn the dressing creamy.  Taste and season with more salt if needed.  Cover and keep refrigerated. Makes about 2 cups.

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Food on Friday: Tomatoes @ Carole's Chatter