Holy Mackerel! Lent Has Arrived.

To me, personally speaking, Lent signifies more festivities, not less.  It's just a different kind of celebration which is called for - that's all.



And, I suppose there are still a lot of folks who think, like I use to,  that when Mardi Gras is over it means that Lent has arrived and it is now time to buckle-up, fly straight, pray more and cut back or eliminate those things in our lives which we love but may be bad for us (politicians notwithstanding).



And, if we are to become loyal to the spirit of the season, we must sacrifice those things we love for forty days and forty nights in a row (not including Sundays) until the final Sunday, Easter Sunday, when the burden of sacrifice is lifted and things are suppose to return to a sense of normalcy.  I know this from personal experience.



Quiting smoking is always a popular goal to attain during Lent. This is the season when the tobacco addicts attempt to rid themselves of the hideous habit.



There were many times I tried to quit smoking during Lent -  thinking that quiting for forty days would somehow make me immune to 40 years of psychological addiction, too. It never worked for me.



One day I just decided to quit ... after 40 years of smoking ... no programs or support groups (nothing).  I just quit. I was ready to quit.



In fact, I remember purchasing a book to help me stop smoking, but I had already quit by the time it arrived several days later at my door step.



The book's effectiveness, I later mused,  must have certainly come from its title and the sobering statement just below it because I've yet to crack it open: "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" ... "Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers using Allen Carr's Easyway Method"



Don't laugh. I'm still trying to figure it out?



Lent is also a time when we Christians are suppose to substitute and practice good habits in exchange for the bad ones. And we have forty days to make them stick.  I am leading to something here, so bear with me.



One of the first delightful things one experiences when one stops smoking is the revitalization of the tongue and all the tiny taste-buds attached to it. The taste of food suddenly evolves into a taste for food - along with a personal invitation for a few extra pounds to settle around the girth if one is not careful.



The new good habits can evolve into ones just as bad as the ones one is trying to replace. (Say that fast three times why don't ya.)



What I am suggesting is that an ex-smoker can easily transform his/herself from a skinny smoked salmon into a plump stuffed sausage in no time at all,  if you know what I mean? Again, I speak from personal experience.



Speaking of fish, Lent is a welcomed celebration back home in Acadiana I want you to know. To sacrifice is like a prayer of deeds to God in addition to the prayers of thoughts and words we perform.



But,  more than anything, Lent, to me, is also a time of abundance when it comes to fresh seafood.  Fish, seafood gumbos, oyster stews, jambalayas, casserolles, all become the key words of the day throughout Acadiana during the Season of Lent.



It is a time when some serious hard fishing may be in order, too. And, all fishermen and women know there's nothing wrong with that sacrifice whatsoever! It's pretty much our duty to make it happen. That is why I will be begging for some good large-mouth bass recipes in the near future as well.



Lent certainly was, and still is, one of my favorite times of the year, as I have already mentioned in a June 30, 2006 article posted here entitled "The First Crawfish Farm".



In conclusion, during this Holy Season of Lent, 2010, I would love to explore, discover and perhaps publish more seafood recipes ... good ones ... as well as other delicious foods which are becoming more popular during this time of the year.



I am looking for original stuff. Thank the Lord for chefs the world over, but there are times when we laypeople prefer to do it our own way (like serving two starches at one sitting if we want to), so please - no professionals.



I want to invite you to share your stories, your thoughts and ideas of some pleasant sacrifices we can make together this Lent (in the way of food) that can turn this year's festivities into something  memorable.



I have got an idea? We can begin in the kitchen by substituting a meat with a good mackerel recipe.



This has to be a major challenge, to start out with, because as my son commented below, "it taste like an oily rag". You can read about his humorous mis-adventures at Scott Gaspard's Bass Angler's Journal.



I agree with him because I, too, have not had much luck with making this fish [mackerel] an enjoyable food.  Do you know any good mackerel recipes that can make the grade? ... or, do you know someone who does? Let's get together.



You see, someone once told me if anyone can learn to eat mackerel, then they have enough will power to quit smoking. Although I have been smoke-free for a couple years, I am still hopeful that I will somehow discover a great recipe for mackerel that is truly enjoyable.

 

We certainly welcome other fish and seafood recipes as well, (fish, shrimp, crab, oysters, etc.), along with deserts, appetizers and vegan recipes.



Our goal is to post and share an average of one healthy non-meat recipe per day during Lent (digital only, please - no mailings).



With your help I am hopeful we can do it if we can keep the recipes original and submitted with the creator's permission. The recipes chosen will be posted on Real Cajun Cooking - Pure and Simple within 72 hours of approval.



Original photos, videos, testimonials or short stories behind the recipe will greatly enhance your chances of being published.



Lent, this year, runs from Wednesday, February 25 through Sunday, April 4th.



That's a total of 6 weeks with 6 days of fasting each week. Since it is forbidden to fast on Sundays, that will be the day when we will evaluate and choose the best entry for the previous week.



I welcome thoughts and ideas on this subject. Winners will be responsible for taking care of shipping charges should prizes be awarded.



You may use the comment section below to post your entries or you can e-mail me personally at ezgumbo@gmail.com.



And, unlike the previously mentioned ex-smoker who's good habits could be transform into bad ones again, perhaps together we can discover how to prepare new dishes and healthier foods that will not make us plump as stuffed sausages, but more fit - like Slim Jims.



Note: I will work at getting sponsors for this brief impromptu contest. If the plan works we can look forward to having other fun competitions. So, keep checking back here for any updates. You could become eligible to win a  t-shirts, aprons, caps, chef hat, ... or some other souvenir ... just for submitting your favorite recipe.



God Bless. Catch ya later.



             King Mackerel                                                                              

                                               













 







If you would like to sponsor a prize for this contest please contact me at ezgumbo@gmail.com.  Minimum $20.00 fee required. We accept and use PayPal to process payments. Sponsors can elect to remain anonymous or we can publish names and include your company information as well as provide a link to your website.