The Justin Wilson Cookbook

Book excerpt: The first cookbook featuring classic Cajun recipes—from Red Beans and Rice to Catfish Courtbouillon—from the comedian and PBS cooking series host. Justin Wilson took a culture slur and made it a label of distinction. He proudly identified himself, and his cooking, as “Cajun.” His experiences as a safety engineer were the catalyst of his transformation into one of the most familiar Cajun personalities of the last century. “I started interspersing my safety talks with Cajun humor. And what do you know? My audiences stayed awake!” They did a lot more than stay awake. They chuckled, they laughed, they roared—and they learned their safety lessons! For decades, Wilson was in heavy demand on television and in person. He recorded four albums, one of which—The Humorous World of Justin Wilson—broke all album sales records in Texas at the time. His first cookbook, published in 1965, still stands as a masterpiece of Cajun cooking and of culinary expertise in general. Unique, entertaining, and authentic, his original Cajun recipes include everything from the perfect roux to Eggplant Appetizer a la Justin, Red Bean Soup, Okra Gumbo, Venison Roast, and Dirty Rice. Wilson’s collection of Cajun recipes (and humor) will set your imagination on the right track, “I garontee.”