Cajun Bourbon Chicken - Is it Really Cajun Cooking?

Cajun cooking was born of necessity. When thebeing hot, this is not necessarily true. The use of
British caused the Acadians to abandon Novaspices is a part of the seasoning but the true
Scotia in 1785, there were approximately 1600Cajun recipes used the spices for the taste, not
that had to find somewhere else to live. Theyto add heat to the dish.
ended up in Louisiana and the major source ofSo Cajun is a combination of Southern and French
food was from fishing, farming and hunting.cooking. Cajun Bourbon Chicken is made of
When the Cajuns settled in Louisiana, they werechicken soaked in Bourbon and the Cajun spices
not met with hospitality. They were looked downare added. The origins of this type of chicken are
upon by the French Aristocracy. The swampynot agreed upon by very many people. Some say
areas were where they had to settle due to thisit is from Kentucky. Others say it was named
treatment. Although they basically had been eatingafter Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The
what the Aristocracy ate, this move caused themmarinade used for soaking the chicken is normally
to have to adapt the recipes they knew and usesugar, soy sauce and whiskey. This may be the
things that were available. So they adapted thereason for the name rather than any of the
recipes to what they had or could grow and thisother reasons.
developed into Cajun cooking.The confusion is due to the differences between
Because they sold a great deal of what theythe two names. Bourbon chicken and Cajun
raised or caught, the Cajuns, as they becamebourbon chicken do not use exactly the same
known learned how to create dishes out of theingredients. While the ingredients used in Bourbon
leftover goods to feed their families. At this timechicken are also used in Cajun Bourbon chicken,
families were quite large and the amount of foodthere are a few things added to Bourbon Cajun
fixed had to be enough to feed everyone. Thischicken and this will vary according to the cook.
necessity caused Cajuns to mix rice with almostThe addition of Cajun Seasoning is not used in
everything eaten. Cajun Chicken was one of theBourbon Chicken. This can be the type you buy in
dishes they found easy to prepare and wasthe store or if your roots are Cajun, it can be
enough to feed the large families.whatever ingredients handed down by your
Using what was available such as seafood,mother or grandmother.
chicken, turtle and alligator many Cajun recipesIrregardless of the origins of Cajun Bourbon
were born. The use of a roux and the fat fromchicken, one thing everyone agrees on is the
whatever type of meat is being fixed; thetaste. It is delicious and has a flavor all its own.
ingredients and seasonings are what make theThis is why it is made using different variations all
Cajun dish so different and tasty. Although manyover the country.
people associate Cajun food with spiciness and