Q Is for Quebedeaux

During our first of our three Marine Corps tours at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina,my husband was gone most of the first year with routine training stuff. Since I had gotten lucky with a convenient schedule teaching at the community college, I maxed out breaks with trips to Louisiana to visit my grandmother. She was getting on in years, and, to be honest, the thought of her not being on the farm scared me. 


Since traffic wasn't like it is today, I could leave coastal North Carolina at midnight and reach the Gulf Coast before that creepy Manchac swamp welcomed me to Louisiana.  I hated that swamp. Don't get me wrong. The raised, four-lane road (with a strip of swamp or open water in the middle) was great, the vistas gorgeous.


But half of life is showing up. I showed up at the wrong time one morning. An unsavory-looking character, with a pistol on his car's dashboard, had tried to squeeze my car so close to the right lane's barrier I'd have to stop the vehicle.


When I saw this car in my rear view mirror, there was every indication the driver was going to pass me (as he approached from the left lane). He did - somewhat - then slowed dramatically and angled his vehicle to trap mine against the barrier.


It was a terrifying experience as there was no place to go, no exit, nothing, just road and swamp with nobody on the road except this guy and me.  Fortunately, my Cutlass reacted like the beauty she was. With nary an inch to spare, I hit the pedal and zoomed forward like a bat out of hell, my hand on the horn non-stop, and maintained a considerable speed in a road position that wouldn't allow him to pull alongside. Yes, I worried about the pistol, but speed and swamp were a dangerous combo that didn't need a swerving car.


Fortunately, a Louisiana State Trooper approached from the opposite direction.  The officer recognized the situation and flipped his flashers on. I adjusted my speed  and gave this guy the road to pass.  He did - with an Indy 500 roar.


At the Mississippi border, I saw a Mississippi State Trooper's car at the Visitor's Center and pulled in. The officer had my car's description and knew why. "We got him," he said. "Reckless driving." Since the driver didn't have a permit for that pistol, they'd gotten him 'real good' and I could drive on. 


When the trooper complimented me on my instincts, I drove on with a smile, happy to be out of the Manchac Swamp. For a brief YouTube video about the haunted swamp, please go HERE. (A hurricane wiped out the previous town and killed many. Their ghosts are said to haunt the swamp.) For a brief YouTube tour of the swamp (Cajun Pride Swamp Tours), please go HERE. I highly recommend this tour!!


As for what happened to the driver, I haven't a clue. Charges against him would be serious anywhere. But a reckless driver with out-of-region plates and an unregistered weapon in the very Deep South is in a whole mess of trouble, Lordy, Lordy!
  
But because of this incident, I never crossed the swamp again unless cars were ahead of me.  That done, I'd enjoy the ride to my grandmother's house. 


It was on this particular trip from Camp Lejeune that my brother introduced me to an older farmer he did business with. And that is how I met Mr. Quebedeaux.


It's originally a Spanish name brought to the Louisiana Territory either through French Canada or France. It is thought a customs official hadn't spoken French and didn't realize the French pronounce the letter "Q" as "K."  However, whether in Canada or the U.S., all Quebedeaux families are said to be related.

Chef Joey Quebedeaux (right), Manager of Piggly Wiggly South.  (FoodNetwork)  Below is his award-winning recipe for Chicken and Tasso Corn Bisque.

Award Winning Chicken & Tasso Corn Bisque

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken diced (white or dark meat)
• 1 lb smoked pork tasso diced
• 1 cup seasoning blend
• 1 can Rotel Tomatoes (any style)
• 2 Tsp or 3 cubes chicken bouillon
• 1 Tsp Cumin
• 2 sticks butter
• 2 Tsp chopped garlic
• 2 qts heavy whipping cream
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cans whole Kernel Corn (drained)
• ½ Tsp Dry Basil
• 1 Tsp corn starch
• Seasoning to taste

Method:
Saute’ seasoning blend and garlic with butter till wilted add chicken, tasso, Rotel, chicken bouillon and cumin cook together for 5 minutes. Add whipping cream and heat on medium temperature till hot. Add Worcestershire sauce and corn. Cook 20 minutes or till desired thickness. You can also use corn starch to cut down on cooking time. Add Basil and seasoning to taste. (Serves 4-6 people) 

(I made Joey's soup, just to see.  It truly is delicious.)

Manchac Swamp

Manchac Swamp Bridge. At a little over 22 miles (36 km), it's one of the longest bridges over water in the world, crossing both swamp and water as South Louisiana is very water-logged.  My experience occurred more on the swamp part, but I still had to get to the end.  Hub and I were on the bridge after Christmas.  The place still gives me the creeps.