CAJUN SEASONING

(A unit can be any measurement that you wish. 1 Tsp is recommended.)

6 units salt

3 units cayenne pepper

2 units of each of the following

     black pepper

     chili powder

     paprika

     garlic powder

     MSG (preservative-gives shelf life of about 6 months)

1 unit of the following

     white pepper

     ground oregano

     ground thyme

 

 Substitute Cajun Seasoning for salt on popcorn, corn-on-the-cob,

hamburgers, steak, and eggs.

 

 

BLACKENED FISH

 

Filleted, thinly sliced Orange Roughey (or similar type fish).

Sprinkle fish (both sides), with melted butter or margarine. 

Then sprinkle, both sides of fish with CAJUN SEASONING. Place in

white hot, black cast iron skillet for about one minute each

side.  (Skillet should be heated on high setting for about seven

minutes or until the bottom of the skillet becomes ash white. 

Make sure that the stove vent is on HIGH.  There will be smoke. 

You may have to disconnect your smoke alarm)!

 

BLACKEN CHICKEN THIGHS

 

Skin and debone chicken thighs.  Sprinkle both sides with CAJUN

SEASONING.  Place in white hot skillet.  (See instructions for

fish above).  Cook about one minute each side.  Remove and finish

cooking in micro-wave oven or conventional oven (4 pieces chicken

-- 4 minutes micro-wave or 13 minutes at 350 in conventional

oven).  Check chicken by cutting center.  It's ready to eat when

no longer pink.

BAR-B-QUE SHRIMP

 

Melt 2 1/2 sticks of butter.  Mix in 1 1/2 tablespoons of CAJUN

SEASONING and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.  Pour over 1 lb. medium to

large shrimp (uncooked with shells on).  Bake in micro-wave for 7

minues or conventional oven for twenty (20) minutes.  Shrimp will

be pink and shells soft when finished.  Serve with hot FRENCH

Bread. Bread is dipped in sauce.(In New Orleans shrimp are eaten in

shells.)

 

 

CAJUN RICE

 

Prepare 1 1/2 cup long grain rice.  Melt 1/2 stick butter.  Mix

well rice, butter, and 1 Tbs CAJUN SEASONING.

 

 

 

CAJUN BAR-B-QUE SAUCE

 

 1/4      Cup Vinegar

1/2       Cup Water

1         Tsp. Brown Sugar

1         Tsp. Maple Syrup

1         Tsp. Dry Mustard

1         Tsp. Onion Powder

1         Tsp. Cajun Seasoning

1/2       Cup Ketchup

2         Tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

1 1/2     Tsp. Liquid Smoke

 

Mix ingredients, vinegar through cajun seasoning.  Simmer 20

minutes or (4 min. on high in a micro-wave).  Blend in ketchup,

Worcestershire and liquid.

 

 

 


 REMOULADE  SHRIMP SAUCE  

 

1         Cup French Dressing

1         Bunch Green Onions, Minced

5         Tsp. Creole Mustard

2         Tsp. Paprika

1         Tsp. Horseradish

Mix all ingredients. Pour over shrimp or dip shrimp in it.

 

 

 

CAJUN COLESLAW  

 

Mix 1 tsp powdered beef bouillon, 1 tsp Cajun Seasoning, 1/8 tsp

garlic powder, 1/8 tsp oregano, 1/8 tsp thyme, 1 tsp wine

vinegar.  Dissolve in 1/4 cup boiling water.  Add 1/2 cup salad

oil (preferably safflower oil.)  Lightly coat 3 cups of

coleslaw.  (Full amount of dressing probably not needed.)     

 

 

BREAD PUDDING    (MICROWAVE)  

8         Slices white bread

2         Cups milk

1         Tbs. butter

2         Eggs beaten

1 1/4     Cup sugar

1/4       Tsp. salt

1/2       Tsp. cinnamon

1         Tsp. vanilla

1/2       Cup raisins

1/4       Cup butter

1/2       Cup sugar

2         Tbs. rum or whiskey

 

Tear bread into small pieces (crust, too).  Place in a 9" round glass pie dish.  Heat milk and butter on Hi for 3 minutes in a 4ªcup measure.  Stir small amount of hot milk into beaten eggs.

Return eggs to milk.  Add sugar, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, and

raisins.  Pour mixture over bread pieces.  Cook on Hi for 7

minutes.  Cook two minutes longer if center is not firm.

 

Mix sugar and rum or whiskey together in a 2 cup measure.  Add

butter.  Cook on Hi for 2 minutes.  Serve over bread pudding.

 

 

 

AMBROSIA BREAD PUDDING

Make the following changes to the Microwave Bread Pudding recipe.

Add one small can of mandarin oranges drained. Substitute ¼ tsp cinnamon and ¼ tsp nutmeg for ½ tsp cinnamon. Substitute ½ tsp vanilla extract and ½ tsp almond extract for 1 tsp vanilla extract. Substitute amaretto for the rum or whiskey in the sauce. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.

 

 

CREOLE MAYONNAISE      

 

1 1/2     Cups oil

1         Egg

3         Tbs. chopped onion

1         Tbs. Creole mustard

3         Tbs. vinegar, or lemon juice

1/4       Tsp. paprika

          Tabasco to taste

1         Tsp. prepared yellow mustard

1         Tsp. salt

 

In blender or food processor, place 1/4 Cup oil. Add remaining

ingredients and blend on high speed until smooth. Immediately add

remaining oil, a little at a time, until all is used.      

 

 

CREOLE SAUCE      

 

2         Tbs. butter

1         Cup chopped bell pepper

1         Cup chopped onion

3         Cups chopped tomato pulp

1/4       Tsp. dried thyme

2         Bay leaves

4         Cloves garlic, minced

2         Tbs. parsley, minced

1         Tsp. paprika

1         Tbs. cornstarch

          Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

 

Melt the butter and saute the onions and bell pepper until they

become limp. Add all the remaining ingredients except the

cornstarch, and season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper.

Simmer for 20 minutes.

 

Mix the cornstarch with a little water and blend into the sauce.

Cook for a few minutes more to thicken. Makes 3 cups.

 

 


SHRIMP CREOLE  

 

1 1/2                 Lbs. raw shrimp, peeled

1         Stick butter

          Salt and cayenne pepper

3         Cups creole sauce

3         Cups hot cook rice

 

Heat the butter and saute the shrimp with a little salt and

cayenne pepper until the shrimp become firm. Add the Creole Sauce

and simmer together for 20 minutes. Serve over rice.

 

 

BASIL & TOMATO DRESSING  

 

1         Clove garlic minced

1/4       Cup tomato sauce

1/3       Cup red wine vinegar

1         Tbs. sugar

1/2       Tsp. salt

1         Tsp. dried basil

1         Tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2       Tsp. Creole mustard

1/4       Tsp. ground pepper

1/4       Tsp. Tabasco sauce

1         Cup olive oil

 

Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender. Process until

blended. While running, add oil slowly, in a steady stream.

Process until smooth. 

 

       


POPPY SEED DRESSING      

 

1/2©3/4     Cups sugar

1         Tsp. dry mustard

1         Tsp. salt

1/2       Medium onion

1         Cup safflower oil

1/3       Cup vinegar

1 1/3     Tsp. poppy seed

 

Chop onion fine in food processor or blender. Add sugar, mustard,

and salt. Mix. Add oil and vinegar slowly while motor is running.

Add poppy seeds. Mix.(Dressing goes well over spinach sprinkled with hard-boiled eggs and bacon.)

 

BANANAS FOSTER      

 

1/4       Cup butter

4         Tbs. brown sugar

1         Tsp. cinnamon

4         Bananas, split and quartered

3         Tsp. Banana liquer

1/3       Cup rum

 

In an 8" square dish, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar and

cinnamon. Bring to a boil on Hi for 3©4 minutes. ”Stir at 1 minute

intervals.

 

Add Bananas. Microwave on Hi for 2 minutes. Stir in banana

liqueur.

 

Heat rum in a 1©cup measure on Hi for 45 seconds. Pour hot rum

over bananas. Carefully ignite.

 

When flame dies out, spoon over vanilla ice cream.

 

 

 


SMOTHERED DEBRIS      

1 1/2     Lbs. calf liver

2         Kidneys

2         Thymus glands (sweet bread) (soak in 1 cup water and

          2 tsp. salt for 15 minutes to remove excess blood)

1/2       Heart

2         Large onions (diced)

1         Large bell pepper (diced)

2         Stalks celery (diced)

1/2       Cup onion tops (cut)

1/2       Cup oil

Meat seasonings: salt, black pepper, and Cayenne red pepper

Cut all meat into bite size pieces, season, and keep separate.

In Dutch oven cook heart pieces with diced onions, celery and

bell pepper in oil for 1/2 hour adding 1/8 cup water at a time as

necessary not to fry dry © but let it cook down to oil before

adding water. Add kidney pieces to heart pieces and cook for 1/2

hour adding water, as above, preventing dry frying. Add sweet

bread and cook for 1/2 hour as before. Add liver pieces and

onions tops and cook for 1/4 hour without adding water. Now add

1/4 to 3/4 cup water for desired consistency and simmer 10

minutes. Serve over rice with pickle beet salad and green beans.

 


SAUCE PIQUANTE      

 

For a delicious meal, try chicken sauce piquante, shrimp and crab sauce piquante, or turtle sauce piquante or debris sauce piquante.

 

Because this recipe takes so long to prepare, a smart thing to do is to double it and freeze half for later. Therefore, I have

taken the liberty to do just that. What follows is enough sauce for two chickens.

1 1/2               Cup oil

1 1/2               Cups of all purpose flour

1                      Large and 1 small cans of Contadina tomato paste

6                      Medium onions, diced

1                      Medium bell pepper, diced

6                      Toes garlic, minced

3                      Stalks celery, minced

3/4                   Cup onion tops

1/2                   Cup parsley

1                      Tbs. mustard

1                      Tbs. Lea  & Perrin

1                      Tsp. sugar

1                      Tsp. tabasco

 

Meat:

Chicken Sauce Piquante (2 large fryers cut up)

Shrimp & Crab Sauce Piquante (1 doz. crabs & 2 lb. cleaned

shrimp)

Debris Sauce Piquante (3 pounds of debris)*

 

The most important part of cooking a sauce piquante is the roux. Combine oil and flour in a heavy pot and cook on a medium low fire, stirring constantly, until the oil begins to separate from the flour. Mixture should be the color of cocoa (approximately 50 minutes).Remove from heat and then add both cans of tomato paste and sugar, mixing very well. Place on burner and cook over low fire for 1/2 hour. Add onions and cook 1/2 hour. Add bell pepper, garlic and celery and cook for 10 minutes. Add 6 ounces of water, salt, pepper, mustard, Lea & Perrin, and Tabasco. Simmer for about 2 hours, stirring so it doesn't stick. If you're not in a hurry, the longer it simmers, the better it is. You may have to

add water, but not too much, as the chicken or seafood will give off plenty liquid. If making debris sauce piquante, add a little more water as debris does not give off as much liquid.

 

 


PORK JAMBALAYA      

 

In a heavy pot cook slowly, stirring occasionally, adding a

little water at a time while the meat browns. Do not fry dry.

 

5 lbs. pork meat well seasoned

 

Add to the browned meat and simmer for five minutes:

 

2         Cups     chopped onions

1         Cup chopped bell pepper

1         Cup chopped celery

 

Add to the browned meat and bring to a hard boil:

(If meat is not brown enough, add Kitchen Bouquet.)

 

7         Cups water

          salt     

          red pepper

          black pepper

 

Add to mixture:

 

6         Cups uncooked rice

2         Cups cut onion tops

2         Cups chopped parsley

 

Continue boiling until water evaporates. Change to low heat and

cook until rice is cooked.

 

 


FISH COURTBOUILLON      

1/2       Cup flour

1/2       Cup oil

2         Cups chopped onions

1         Cup chopped bell pepper

1         Cup chopped celery

1/2       Cup chopped parsley

1         Cup chopped mushrooms

4         Tbs. tomato paste

4         Cloves chopped garlic

4         Cups water

          Salt and Cayenne pepper to taste

1         Tbs. Worcestershire sauce

2         Bay leaves

1/4       Tsp. thyme

1/4       Tsp. sweet basil

1/4       Tsp. dill

1/2       Cup white wine

3         Pounds fish fillets

 

In a heavy pot, cook oil and flour until golden brown. Add

onions, celery, bell peppers © saute until done (5 minutes). Add

all ingredients except parsley, fish, and wine. Blend well and

simmer over medium heat approximately 1 1/2 hours. Cut fish into

cubes. Add to sauce. Stir in wine and parsley. Season to taste.

Cook until fish is flaky adding water to desired consistency.

 

 


CRAWFISH BISQUE      

Roux:

2/3       Cup flour less 2 T.

2/3       Cup oil

2         Onions (diced)

4         Toes garlic (diced)

1/2       Cup celery (diced)

1/2      Cup bell pepper, diced

1         Tbs. catsup

1         Tsp. sugar

2         Tsp. salt

1/4       Tsp. Cayenne

1/4       Tsp. black pepper

 

Cook roux until oil separates from flour. Add other ingredients

and cook for about two minutes.

 

Sauce:

2         Cups water

1 1/2     Lb. Crawfish tails

          Crawfish fat

 

Add two cups of water and cook for one hour. Add crawfish and

crawfish fat and cook for 30 minutes.

 

Stuffed Heads:

 

18        Cleaned crawfish heads

2         Larger onions (chopped diced)

1         Stick butter melted

1 1/2     Cups chopped crawfish

1/2       Cup of sauce (above)

1/4       Cup breadcrumbs (app.)

 

In melted butter sauce onions. Add crawfish and sauce. Cook for

about ten minutes. Add breadcrumbs to desired consistency (should

hold together enough to stuff heads). Stuff heads, top with more

breadcrumbs, and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.

 

Serve sauce over rice in gumbo bowls. Some may want heads in bowl

with sauce or aside in a saucer.

 

Fattening but delicious served with potato salad!

 

SEAFOOD GUMBO      

 

3/4       Cup oil

3/4       less 2 tbs. flour

2         Large onions, diced

1         Bell pepper, diced

3         Stalks celery, diced

2         Toes garlic, minced

1         Cup onion tops

1/4       Cup parsley

6         Cleaned crabs

1         Lb. cleaned crab meat (optional, but Ooh la la)

1         Lb. cleaned shrimp

1         Pt. oysters

          Salt, Cayenne, Black pepper

2         Cups water

1         Tbs. file'

 

Cook roux with oil and flour on medium low fire, stirring

constantly, until oil separates from flour. Mixture will be the

color of cocoa. Add onions, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for

about 2 minutes. Add 2 cups water, salt, Cayenne, and black

pepper and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.* Simmer for

1/2 hour. Add shrimp and cook for 5 minutes. Add crabs, onion

tops, and parsley and cook for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place

oysters in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until edges begin

to curl. Add oysters and desired amount of liquid to mixture and

cook for 5 minutes. Test for seasoning and add if necessary. You

may want to add more water depending on how thick you like gumbo.

Just before serving, add file' or place it on the table with a

small spoon (demitasse) for individual servings.

 

Serve on hot rice with a serving of potato salad! Talk about

good, yea!

 

* Amount of salt will depend on salinity of oysters.

 

Hint:     Taste of gumbo is enhanced if it is made ahead of time

          and left soaking for about 1 hour (or longer) before

          eating.

 

              

Shrimp Stew, Crab Stew, and Shrimp & Crab Stew

 

Stews of seafood can be made by following the recipe for seafood

gumbo but adding much less water and omitting the oysters. Add

1/2 cup water instead of 2 cups.

 

FRUIT TARTS      

Mix together and beat until creamy

2         Cups sugar

2         Sticks butter or margarine

1/2       Cup cooking oil

4         Eggs

Combine and add to sugar mixture:

1/2       Cup flour

6         Tsp. baking powder

Stir

Alternately stir milk and flour mixtures. Chill dough for 20

minutes which will make it easier to roll. Roll out and cut with

a round cutter.

 

Spoon your favorite filling (fig or blackberry preserves,

custard, cherry, blueberry, etc.) onto dough rounds and crimp

edges. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown. Makes 45 to 50

tarts. What a good old fashioned treat!            

 

RED BEANS & RICE      

 

2         Cans red kidney beans

1/2       Cup chopped onion

1/2       Cup chopped green onion

1/2       Tsp. minced garlic

1/4       Cup olive oil or butter

1/2       Tsp. black pepper

1         Tsp. salt

1/2       Tsp. oregano

          Ham hocks

          Rice

 

Sauté onions and garlic (2©3 minutes, microwave) in oil. Add

remaining ingredients plus 2 cups water. Mix and cook on high for

10 minutes. Stir and mash about 1/4 the beans. Cook on medium for

30 minutes. Stir occasionally and mash beans. Mixture should be

creamy when ready.  Serve over rice.


PECAN PRALINE      

 

1         Cup light brown sugar

1         Cup sugar

1/3       Cup light corn syrup

1/4       Cup water

1 1/2     Cups pecan halves

1         Tbs. butter

1         Tsp. vanilla extract

 

In a 5 qt. microwave container (casserole dish or bowl) mix well

sugar, brown sugar, syrup, and water.  Microwave on Hi for 7 to 9

minutes or until mixture reaches soft ball stage (small amount

forms soft ball when dropped into cold water or 238 degrees

Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer).  Stir in the butter and

vanilla.  Stir well.  Add pecans and stir well.  Drop by

tablespoonful onto buttered foil.  Let stand until set.

 

 

APPLE CALVADOS

(This dessert is similar to Bananas Foster)     

3         Apples

1/2       Stick butter

2         Tsp. cinnamon

3         Tsp. nutmeg

1/4       Tsp. clove

1/4       Cup sugar

2         Tsp. lemon juice

1/3       Cup calvados brandy(or apple brandy)

1/4       Cup rum

 

Melt butter. Add everything but rum. Cook slow. Stir till tender

apples. Heat rum pour and light.

 


ROUX      

 

1 part flour                              1 part oil or lard

 

Heat oil or lard in a 12 inch skillet or heavy Dutch oven over

medium heat.  When oil is hot add flour.  Stir briskly to mix

flour and oil.  Smooth out any lumps of flour.  Reduce heat.

Cook, stirring constantly © about 45 minutes for peanut butter

color or 55 minutes for dark mahogany.

 

Light color roux is used for sauces and gravies.  Dark color roux

is used in gumbo.

 

If black flecks appear in roux, throw the roux away.  You've

burned it.  Burnt roux has a bitter taste.

 

You can freeze roux or keep it refrigerated for a couple of days.

 

 

MICROWAVE ROUX      

 

1/2  Cup flour                              1/2     Cup oil

 

In a 4 cup glass measure, combine oil and flour.  Mix well.

Microwave on Hi for 6 minutes or until as dark as desired.  (Stir

at 4 minutes, 5 minutes, and 5 minutes 30 seconds.)

 

Stir when timer count is zero.

 

To darken, cook on Hi for 30 seconds.

 

Drain off excess oil.

 

Onion, celery, garlic, and bell peppers are usually added to the

roux and cooked until they are soft. (About 5 minutes on Hi).

 


ETOUFFEE      

 

1 1/2          Lbs shrimp, small or 2 lbs crawfish

1         Cup roux, mahogany colored

2         Medium onion chopped

3         Medium garlic cloves, minced

1         Large green bell pepper chopped

2         Celery stalks, chopped

1 1/2          Tbs. plus 1 tsp. tomato paste

1/2       Tsp. cayenne pepper

1         Tsp. black pepper

1         8 oz. bottle clam juice

1/4       Cup minced parsley

8         Green onions chopped

 

To hot roux, add onions, garlic, bell pepper, and celery.  Cook

and stir until vegetables are soft (about 5 minutes).  Stir in

tomato paste, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.  Stir in shrimp.

Slowly stir in clam juice.  Season with salt.  Reduce heat.

Simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes.  Stir in parsley and green onions;

remove from heat.  Serve over rice.

 

 

MICROWAVE ETOUFFEE      

 

1/2       Cup butter, melted

1 1/2          Cups onions, chopped fine

1/2       Cup green bell pepper, chopped fine

1         Clove garlic, minced

2         Tbs. flour

2         Tbs. heaping undiluted cream of celery soup

1         Lbs. peeled shrimp or crawfish

1 1/2          Tsp. salt

1/4       Tsp. black pepper

1/4       Tsp. cayenne pepper

 

In a 2 qt dish, melt butter.  Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic.

Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on Hi until onions are very

soft.  About 6 or 7 minutes.  Stir in flour. Add celery soup.  Cover and cook on Hi for 4 minutes.  Add shrimp or crawfish and cook on Hi until done.(About 6 minutes). However, check after 4 minutes).Serve over rice.

 

SHRIMP (CRAWFISH) IN CREAM SAUCE      

 

1         Stick butter (1/2 cup)

1 1/2          Tsp. cornstarch

1         Small onion, sliced

2         Green onion, sliced

1 1/2          Cups heavy cream

1/4       Tsp. cayenne pepper

1/4       Tsp. white pepper

1         Tsp. salt

1/8       Tsp. oregano

1/8       Tsp. thyme

1         Lb. shrimp or crawfish, boiled and peeled

          Fettuccine

          Parmesan cheese

 

Melt butter in a 12 inch skillet.  Saute onions until

transparent.  Reduce heat to Low.  Stir in cream.  Add

seasonings.  Dissolve cornstarch in 1/4 cup water and add.

Constantly stir.  When mixture becomes a thin sauce, add seafood.

Continue to stir until mixture becomes a medium thick sauce.

 

Serve over fettuccine.  Sprinkle on parmesan cheese.

 

OYSTER AND ARTICHOKE SOUP      

 

6         Tbs. butter, melted

1/2       Cup green onions, chopped fine

1/8       Tsp. thyme

1         Bay leaf

1/4       Tsp. cayenne pepper

2         Tbs. flour

1         (13 3/4 oz.) can chicken broth

1         Pint oysters with liquid

1         Can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

2         Tsp. salt

1/4       Tsp. Tabasco

1/2       Cup whipping cream

3         Sprigs parsley, chopped

 

Put oysters and liquid in a bowl and add 1 1/2 cups of water.

Cover and place in the refrigerator. In a 3 qt. casserole, melt butter.  Sauté green onions, thyme,bay leaf and pepper on Hi for 3 minutes.  Add flour and whiskwell. Add broth, oyster water, artichokes, salt and Tabasco.  Microwaveon Hi for 6 minutes. Add oysters and parsley.  Cover with wax paper.  Cook on Hi for 2 minutes. Add whipping cream and serve.   

 

CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE GUMBO      

 

Roux      2/3       Cup oil

          2/3       Cup flour

     Follow roux recipe

 

Seasoned     2         Cups onion, chopped

Roux      1         Cup celery, chopped

          1/2       Cup green bell pepper, chopped

          4         Cloves garlic, minced

          1/4       Cup parsley, chopped

          1/4       Cup green onion tops, chopped

 

     Add onions, celery, and bell pepper to roux. Stir. Sauté on

Hi for 2 minutes (4 minutes conventional). Add remaining

ingredient. Stir. Sauté on Hi for 2 minutes. (4 minutes

conventional).

     Pour off excess oil. Add enough water to bring to 4 cups.

Stir.

 

Cooked Chicken & stock     2 1/2  Lb. Chicken

     1/2       Onion, sliced

     1         Stalk celery and leaves, sliced

     1         Tsp. salt

     1/2       Tsp. cayenne pepper

     1/4       Cup white wine

     2 1/2               Cups water

 

     Place everything in a 3 qt. casserole. Cover cook on Hi for

20 minutes. Pick meat from bone. Save meat. Save stock.   

Gumbo     Roux

          Chicken

          Chicken stock

          1 Lb. smoked sausage, cut into 1" slices

          1/4 tsp. gumbo file`

          2 tsp. black pepper

          1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Add 4 cups hot water, chicken stock, salt, and peppers to

roux. Stir. Cook 15 minutes on Hi (30 minutes conventional on

medium). Add chicken and sausage. Cook 15 minutes on Hi or (30

minutes conventional on medium). Remove from heat. Add gumbo

file`. Stir. Let stand 5 minutes. Serve over rice in a bowl.

CAPONATA      

 

2         Lb. eggplant peeled, cut into 1/2" cubes

1 1/2          Tbs. salt

1/2       Cup olive oil

1         Cup chopped onion

1 1/2          Cup finely chopped celery

3/4       Tsp. minced garlic

1         Cup sliced pimento stuffed olives

1         Cup sliced pitted black olives

1/4       Cup capers

1/4       Cup vodka

2         Tsp. sugar, dissolved in 1/2 cup wine vinegar

3         Cups canned Italian plum tomatoes

               (partial drained & chopped)

4         Tsp. tomato paste

6         Finely chopped anchovies

1         Tsp. black pepper

1/2       Tsp. Tabasco

 

Sprinkle eggplant with salt. Let stand in colander for 1 hour.

Drain well on paper towel. Heat oil in Dutch oven. Sauté onion,

garlic and celery for 10 minutes. Remove vegetables, place

eggplant in pan and cook, stirring until lightly brown (about 15

minutes). Add more oil if necessary. Return vegetable mixture to

pan along with remaining ingredient and bring to a boil. Reduce

heat and simmer 45 minutes stirring frequently. Refrigerate at

least 4 days before serving.

Ü8

 

ARTICHOKE BALLS      

 

2         Cloves garlic

2         Tbs. olive oil

2         Cans artichoke hearts (drained and mashed)

2         Eggs slightly beaten

1/2       Cups grated parmesan cheese

1/2       Cup Italian bread crumbs

 

Sauté garlic in oil. Add artichokes and egg. Cook over  low heat

about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add

crumbs and cheese. Roll in balls about the size of a large

marble. Roll balls in a 1 to 1 mixture of cheese and crumbs.

Chill and serve.

 

SIMPLE PAN ROAST

 

1 can Campbells tomato bisque

1/3 cup white wine (Chardonnay is good)

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

milk

whipping cream

seafood( crab meat, shrimp, crayfish, fish, mussels,etc.)

1/2 stick butter

 

Heat tomato bisque with a can of milk, white wine, butter and cayenne pepper. When soup is boiling, add seafood ( I use shrimp and chunks of catfish or cod. Whatever is cheap. Sometimes I include mussels and oysters.) When seafood is cooked(about 6 minutes), remove from heat and add about 1/4 cup of whipping cream. (If whipping cream is cold it will cool down the soup. I like to have the cream at room temperature.) Serve with a hardcrusted bread.

 

Sweet Corn Tomalito

 

6 c. fresh corn kernels

3/4 c. milk

1/4 c. (1/2 stick) butter

1/2 c. prepared masa for tamales

2/3 c. sugar

3/4 c. cornmeal

3/4 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. Salt

1/4 c. milk

 

Preheat the other to 250 degrees.  Blend 3 c. of corn kernels and the milk in a blender or food processor until smooth.  Whip the butter, masa, and sugar together in a food processor until light and fluffy, about two minutes.  Add all ingredients, including the pureed corn and the remaining 3 c. whole corn kernels, and mix well.  Pour the mixture into a 9 X 13 in. pan.  Cover tightly with aluminum foil.  Set the pan in a large roasting pan.  Pour enough cool water into the roasting pan to reach 3/4 inched up the outside of the 9 X 13 in. pan.  Bake for 1 1/2 hours to two hours, or until the corn mixture registers 175 degrees on an instant-read thermometer and corn mixture is set.  Scoop out portions of the pudding and serve hot.

 

 

Pico de Gallo

 

2 c. (1 lb.)  Tomatoes, diced into 3 in. pieces

1/2 c. white onions, diced

2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

1 1/2 table spoons stemmed, seeded, and minced jalapeno

2 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice

1/2 tsp. salt

 

Combine all ingredients, mixing well.  Serve chilled.