Cajun Bangers and Mash
We are on the road headed to Nova Scotia, so I have to do short write ups when the children give me a mom moment:
Since I haven’t been to Ireland my Irish experience involves meeting Irish natives. Strangely enough I met my first Irishman in Paris. On a train leaving Paris to be exact. I don’t think either of us knew why we were attracted to each other. We were both promised to others and even if we were single there was no romantic attraction. We were just drawn to each other.
After many drinks on the train we decided that we needed to see the South of France. Why not do it together? Off we went, new best friends away on our poorly planned adventures. We stumbled off the train in Nice. First, more drinks. Don’t try to keep up with an Irishman. It’s doesn’t end well, for you, they will be fine. Deciding that we must see the beach we both realized we needed bathing suits. A local directed us to a part of town where we could buy suits for a reasonable price. The selection was small but we found ones that fit and would suffice.
We headed to the beach in our new rags. It’s didn’t take long to notice us being noticed. I’m not talking “Oh look tourist” stares it was full on glaring. After a short stroll down the beach we headed to a little cafe. Our server cleared up why we were so popular. He looked at us and in your best judge French accent said “ You are very white, why did you were those?” Seems our choice if bright red bathing suits being two blue eyed freckles beauties made our paleness pierce their eyes with our brightness.
If you ever go to the South if France you will see why. They are all the color of well cooked caramel. Don’t worry about us though. The bright decision to have drinks and pass out on the beach got us a equal color to our suits.
We went from sticking out for shining like the moon to managing to be the red version of the blue man group. Funny thing we started the day white/red/white and at the end day red/white/red. You have heard of reversible clothing? Seems we found out a way to do that with our skin.
He may have been able to drink me under the table. This day proved sooner or later the world will find a way to even y’all out. So if you go to the South France bring your favorite Irishman, sunblock and enough drinks to snicker back at the French caramels.
Cajun Bangers and Mash
Ingredients
- 1-11/2 lbs Fresh Sausage
- 2 tbs oil or fat
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken stock
- ½ cup red wine
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp Cajun Seasoning
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a heavy cast iron pot pour just enough cooking oil to cover the bottom of the cooking vessel. When the oil is hot (but not smoking), add the whole links of sausage and brown each piece thoroughly. Prick small holes in the sausage as it browns. Don’t try to rush this part. The key here is to really brown the links thoroughly. The brown bits at the bottom( Gremilles, Gradoux, debris) are what give the gravy its color and flavor which is essential to making a good Cajun gravy.
- Once all the links are browned remove and set aside. Add your slices onion Sauté them for about 5 minutes until they just start to brown. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for another 30 seconds or so. Add Sausage back to the pot with accumulated juices. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove sausages from pot and set aside. Cook onions down until thick and caramelized. Add flour and stir and cook for at least 3 minutes. Add broth to deglaze the pot. Add Thyme and stir.
- Cut sausage in small links and add it back to the pot. Add more broth to cover 3/4 of the sausage. Add in butter, Dijon mustard and red wine. and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Check for seasoning levels and add Cajun seasoning, Salt and Pepper to your taste.
- * Serve with mashed potatoes and sprig with Green Onions.
