Cajun style Gator Tail

Fried Gator Tail“Look, it’s Razzoo’s” Stephen exclaimed as we were driving home on the 635 “are you hungry?”

I shrugged my shoulders and grinned. I was a little hungry and he certainly seemed excited about it. “It’s Cajun style food, really good” he enthused. He’s quite proud of his Cajun heritage.

As we neared the colourfully decorated restaurant he quietly warned me “you know I’m ordering fried gator tail, right?” I grimaced.
My only regret was that I didn’t have my camera on me. This shot, to the right, was taken on Stephen’s phone. For those who are curious, it tastes somewhat like chicken, but with the texture of fish. This was just the appetiser, though, we were soon ready for the mains.

If there was one word I could use to describe Cajun food, it would be: flavourful. Every single thing on my plate (with the possibly exception of the purely decorative lettuce leaf) was boldly flavourful in its own right, even the bread. They are not shy about salt and spices.
Most cultures have some aspect to their food that is somewhat bland. Even Indian or Thai curry usually comes with a large helping of bland rice. you can rest your palate on. There was no such culinary respite here. Every mouthful was a powerful taste.