Thursday, February 7, 2013

Vegetarian Gumbo / Original Recipe

Vegetarian Gumbo:
This is really good!
It's an Original Recipe.

Vegetarian Gumbo

Creating a Roux takes time and patience!

1 package (12 oz.) Vegetarian Smoked Apple Sage Sausage, cut into 1/2" pieces ( Field Roast)
1/2 C Vegetable Oil
1/2 C Flour
1 Onion, diced
1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
2 Stalks of Celery, chopped
2 C Vegetable Broth ( I use a bulk Vegetarian Chicken Powder)
1 - 16oz. Bag of Sliced Frozen Okra, more if desired.
1 can (14 oz.) Diced Tomatoes
1 C Water
2 TBS Minced Garlic
2 TBS Cajun Spice ( recipe to follow if you can't find it)  I use Tony Chachere's Cajun Spice Mix.
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
1 tsp Dried Thyme
3 C cooked White Rice

Create a Roux:

In a large cast iron dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat, slowly whisk in the flour until smooth
Whisk constantly until a dark caramel color appears ( about 2 minutes)

Remember a Roux takes patience, it can easily burn!

Add:
Onion
Bell Pepper
Celery
Stirring constantly
Cook about 10 minutes over low heat

Cool about 5 minutes

Add remaining ingredients, except Rice
Simmer partially covered for 30 minutes or until the Gumbo begins to thicken, stirring often

Serve over White Rice (directions for cooking rice to follow)

Cajun Seasoning:
Mix all ingredients together and store in a jar in the pantry

2 1/2 TBS Paprika
2 TBS Salt
2 TBS Garlic Powder
1 TBS Onion Powder
1 TBS Cayenne Pepper
1 TBS Dried Oregano
1 TBS Dried Thyme
1 TBS Pepper



Rice:
There's an art to making perfect rice and I'm not sure it's ever foolproof but here's a guideline.
1 C of uncooked white rice = 3 C cooked
1 C of uncooked brown rice = 4 C cooked

White Rice:
1 C long grain rice
2 C water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp butter

In a saucepan with a tight fitting lid, bring water, salt and butter to a boil.
Stir in the rice.
Cover tightly, reduce heat to medium-low.
Simmer for 20 minutes.
Do not lift the lid.
Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

Brown Rice:
1 C of rice (rinse under cold water for 30 seconds)
6 C water
1/2 tsp salt

Boil water in a pot with a tight fitting lid.
Stir in the rice.
Boil for 30 minutes, uncovered.
Strain the rice into a strainer or colander from the pot ( retain the water in the pot).
Return the rice to the pot. off the heat.
Cover tightly, use a kitchen towel over the pot if the lid is not tight) the idea is to retain the steam.
Let it sit for 10 minutes before uncovering.
Fluff with a fork.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!




Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Comments!

I'd love to see some comments from followers around the world.
Let me know if there's something special you'd like to see on the blog.

I am very thankful for all who enjoy what they see here.
I am passionate about what I create and share with all of you.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Two Ingredients will make a Cake!

A delicious cake made with only two ingredients.

1 box of Angel Food Cake Mix
1 can of Fruit Pie Filling or Cream Pie Filling

So it could be a Cherry Cake, a Blueberry Cake, an Apple Cake, a Coconut Cream Cake, a Lemon Cream cake and the list goes on............ custom made to your taste!

Preparation:

Mix the two ingredients together!
Mix them well..... act like it's a complicated cake and mix on.....

That's it,
Pour the batter into a 9 X 13 baking dish
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.
It will collapse a bit, but who cares!

Oh, here's where the other ingredients come in:

Serve it with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream.

I may try it in other pans, I'll blog about it if it turns out OK!
I'll post a picture later.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Peace Cake!

Peace Cake!
I have a Peace Cake Pan!

Red Beans and Rice Fritters

This would be a great item to take to a Mardi Gras Party.

Dough:
1 C Red Beans, cooked
1 C Rice, cooked
2 Green Onions, chopped
4 TBS Bread Crumbs
1 tsp Cajun Seasoning ( recipe to follow if you can't buy it)
2 Eggs, beaten

Egg Wash:
1/4 C Milk
1 Egg, beaten

Breading:
1 C Flour
1 C Bread Crumbs
1/4 tsp Cajun Seasoning

Vegetable Oil for Deep Frying

Dipping Sauce:
1 C Mayonnaise
2 tsp Sweet Pickle Relish
1 tsp Onion, minced
2 tsp Lemon Juice
1 dash of Hot Sauce
(Combine all ingredients and refrigerate)

Preparation:
Make the Dough:
Mix together:
Beans
Rice
Green Onions
Eggs
Seasoning
Using a cookie scoop, form the Hushpuppies
Roll them firmly in your hand to hold their shape.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight

Egg Wash
Whisk together the Milk and Egg in a bowl

Breading:
Mix ingredients together in a bowl

Gently roll the Hushpuppies in the Egg Wash and then in the Breading

Heat Vegetable Oil to 360-375 degrees and fry the Hushpuppies until golden brow.
Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt

Serve with the Dipping Sauce

Homemade Cajun Seasoning.
Mix all ingredients together and store in a jar.

2 1/2 TBS Paprika
2 TBS Salt
2 TBS Garlic Powder
1 TBS Onion Powder
1 TBS Cayenne Pepper
1 TBS Dried Oregano
1 TBS Dried Thyme
1 TBS Black Pepper

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Kool - Aid Pickles !

This is the craziest thing I've ever made.

The concept and original recipe is believed to have come from the Delta region of Mississippi.
The overwhelming favorite flavor was any of the Reds which included Strawberry, Cherry, or Tropical Punch. I've heard a story that a woman created these pickles and sold them at her local country store in Mississippi. They were such a success that she ended up selling them in many outlets.

We've made the Tropical Punch. I want to try Lime or Grape.


1 - 46 ounce jar of Whole Dill Pickles.
1 C Sugar
2 C Water
2 Packets of you favorite flavor of Kool - Aid

Drain and discard the juice from the pickles, rinse the jar and the pickles .
Remove the pickles and cut each one in half lengthwise
Return them to the jar and set aside
In a large measuring cup, combine Sugar, Water and Kool - Aid
Mix until the sugar has completely dissolved
Pour the Kool - Aid into the jar to completely cover the pickles
Discard excess Kool - Aid
Cover and refrigerate at least 48 hours
Longer if you can wait....... LOL

I know this sounds crazy, but you may be surprised that you like them !

Far Out Man!

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



Papas con Chiles

Another vintage recipe that I found in my original handwritten books of recipes.
Tex - Mex Mashed Potatoes!

1/4 pound Red Potatoes, diced
1/2 C Cream Cheese
2 C Velveeta Cheese
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 C diced Green Bell Peppers
1/4 C chopped Pickled Jalapenos
2/3 C chopped Green Onions
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper

Place Potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water
Cook uncovered until soft
Drain
Add remaining ingredients and whip until smooth!

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!