Gumbo Ya-Ya

We have been served different things disguised as Gumbo at restaurants in the past, including a mixture more akin to minestrone soup --which was delicious! just not Gumbo.

In case you ever feel like you have to eat real Gumbo, here is a great recipe to try. (Or better yet, come visit me in Baton Rouge and I'll cook it for you!) It is Emeril's, and my SIL taught me how to make it. We've altered it a bit (and I will post the changes in parentheses). It is ridiculously easy, if a little time-consuming, but don't let that scare you off: I pulled it together on Sunday for company coming to dinner and I was only able to start cooking after 2pm. BUT, we ate off of the one batch for three days, AND Sophia loved it. Gumbo please! Mas Gumbo Mami! Gumbo pleeeease!

1 hen, about 6 pounds (I actually use a pcg of boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
8 cups water
2 medium yellow onions, quartered
2 ribs celery, each cut into 6 pieces
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups bleached all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped yellow onions
1 cup chopped green bell peppers
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 pound andouille or other smoked sausage, finely chopped, plus 1 pound smoked sausage, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices (Sausages: I slice the Andouille and crumble the Italian sausage, one pckg. each. Louis likes it with a lot of Italian sausage)
2 tablespoons chopped green onions or scallions (I've never had Gumbo with green onions, so I usually don't add any)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves (I don't add this either)
Cooked white rice, for serving

Directions
In a large, heavy pot place the hen, water, quartered onions, celery pieces, bay leaves, 1 tablespoon of the salt, and 1 teaspoon of the cayenne pepper and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, partially covered, until the hen is tender, about 2 hours. (Since I use chicken breast, it takes a lot less. I just chop my vegetables and sausage in the meantime) Remove the hen and set aside. Strain and reserve the broth.
In a large, heavy pot or a Dutch oven over medium heat, combine the oil and flour. Cook, stirring constantly, until the roux is a dark, chocolate brown color, about 20 to 25 minutes. (This is very important. A burnt roux will ruin your pot of Gumbo. Stir constantly and everything will be okay.) Add the chopped onions, bell peppers, celery and chopped sausage. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are very soft, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the reserved chicken broth and stir until the roux mixture and broth are well combined. (I used 8 cups of vegetable stock instead because that's how my SIL does it). Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 hours. (I cooked it for much less time on Sunday and eve ything was fine, but I hear that these flavors develop better over time).
Meanwhile, remove the skin from the hen and pick the meat off the bones, discarding the skin and bones. Coarsely chop or tear the meat into bite size pieces. Add the chicken and the sliced sausage to the gumbo. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes before skimming any fat that has risen to the surface.
Stir in the green onions and parsley and serve the gumbo in individual soup or gumbo bowls over hot, steamed white rice.

That's it! Laissez le bon temps roulez!

Chicken Spaghetti

This is one from The Pioneer Woman which we love. I don't follow the recipe exactly, but here it is for you to make your own adjustments. I saute the onions and peppers with some garlic and mushrooms. I've never added the pimentos and don't use as much cheese.

Ingredients

2 cups Cooked Chicken
3 cups Dry Spaghetti, Broken Into Two Inch Pieces
2 cans Cream Of Mushroom Soup
2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
¼ cups Finely Diced Green Pepper
¼ cups Finely Diced Onion
1 jar (4 Ounce) Diced Pimentos, Drained
2 cups Reserved Chicken Broth From Pot
1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt
⅛ teaspoons (to 1/4 Teaspoon) Cayenne Pepper
Salt And Pepper, to taste
1 cup Additional Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions
Cook 1 cut up fryer and pick out the meat to make two cups. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except additional 1 cup sharp cheddar and broth.
Place mixture in casserole pan and top with remaining sharp cheddar. Cover and freeze up to six months, cover and refrigerate up to two days, or bake immediately: 350 degrees for 45 minutes until bubbly. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil). Add broth if needed to desired creaminess.

Spaghetti with Artichoke Hearts and Tomatoes

This is one of my favorite recipes from the Pioneer Woman! I, of course, have altered it and don't use heavy cream but I posted the original recipe so you could decide whether or not to make the changes.

Spaghetti with Artichoke Hearts and Tomatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 medium onion, finely diced
1 14.5 ounce can artichoke hearts (quartered or whole), drained
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth, more as needed
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
salt & pepper to taste
1 pound thin spaghetti
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped chives or other herbs
Cook spaghetti till al dente. Drain and set aside.

Melt olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add artichoke hearts and tomatoes. Stir and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in cream and chicken broth. Add salt and pepper to taste (do not undersalt!) Cook over low heat until heated through, then turn off heat.

Place drained pasta in a large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 cup Parmesan. Pour sauce over the top. Add chopped chives. Toss lightly to combine and coat; add a tiny bit of reserved pasta water if sauce seems too thick.
Delicious!

from: The Pioneer Woman

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:
6 chicken breasts
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs (I use Italian)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 large egg
olive oil
1 16 oz jar spaghetti sauce
1 pkg 8 oz mozzarella cheese cut in six slices

Directions:
Combine bread crumbs and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Beat egg in another bowl. Dip chicken in the egg and then in the bread mixture. On stove heat olive oil until hot. Brown the chicken. (Doesn't need to cook through.) Pour sauce in a 9X13 pan and put browned chicken on top. Cover loosely with foil. Bake for 40 min or until chicken is cooked through. Then put cheese on chicken and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Bake 10 min with no foil until cheese is bubbly.

I always serve it with Rotini Noodles cooked and then sprinkled with garlic salt seasoning and olive oil.