Mumbo Gumbo

Hi All,

It’s 4 days until Thanksgiving and it’s all about cooking for the family this week.  I am really looking forward to spending time with my family and eating. 

Our family traditional Thanksgiving meal consist of:  Turkey stuffed with oyster dressing…yummy, seafood Gumbo, baked ham, baked macaroni, cornbread dressing, stuffed bell peppers, stuffed mirlitons, and sweet potato pies.  We cook more, but these are main dishes we just have to have.

So thinking about Thanksgiving last weekend, I was craving Gumbo, so I made a small pot.  Unfortunately, I’m unable to get the ingredients I’m use to because I live in the Midwest now and blue crabs are not available, so I added snow crabs……(I’m ashamed), but it still was good.  It’s also hard to find Andouille sausage here….It’s a cajun smoked sausage that’s used in many dishes at home (New Orleans), but I managed. Here are some of my pictures of my delicious Gumbo.

I just couldn’t wait any longer, I had to make it. 

Gumbo has many different variations, but my family version of Gumbo has the following ingredients:

Meat: turkey necks, chicken gizzards, shrimp, Andouille sausage, and crab legs.  Seasonings: onion, bell peppers, celery, thyme, cayenne pepper, paprika, parsley and a little file’ at the end.

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Traditional Thanksgiving in our Home

Traditional Thanksgiving in our Home by insideme-nikkit on Polyvore

Mini Pie, Sweet Potato Pie 1 dozen of 3″ mini pies / TURKEY

 I will be sharing some of my recipes for these delicious dishes and more until Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Table inspiration

Thanksgiving Table inspiration by insideme-nikkit featuring John Robshaw

John Robshaw napkin ring / Restoration Hardware dinner napkin / C Wonder microwave safe dinnerware / Black dinnerware / Fall napkin ring / Ivory pillar candle

Oh Boy, New Orleans Po boys!

 

I was watching the New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys football game Sunday night in my hotel room in Wisconsin wishing I was in New Orleans.  The Saints beat the Cowboys so bad, I knew it was going to be a party at home.  Two things New Orleans is known for is great parties and great food.  I started craving for a taste of home again, so when I finally made it back to Illinois (current home) yesterday, I immediately went to the store and purchased the simple ingredients for my Po boy.

Most po boy shops in New Orleans serve shrimp, oyster, soft shell crab, catfish, crawfish, hot sausage, roast beef and ham&cheese po boys on french. When you order these sandwiches the waiter will ask if you want it “dressed”.  This simply means add lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo. 

I wanted a shrimp po boy and my husband usually eats the shrimp and oyster combo.  Well, I don’t eat oysters and I do not like to feel of raw oysters in my hands (crazy), so I substituted the oyster for fish.  He loves tilapia, so I surprised him with a fish and shrimp po boy.

All you need is:

loaf of French bread

peanut oil for frying

1 lb shrimp

tilapia

lettuce

tomato

sandwich pickles

2 eggs

flour

Louisiana Cajun Fish Fry Seasoning

1/2 teaspoon Creole Mustard (optional)

I use a batter for my fried seafood which include an egg wash with creole mustard, flour and Louisiana Cajun fish fry. Dip your seafood in each mixture and fry. While shrimp and fish is frying, prepare your “dressed” ingredients.  Once the seafood is cooked, BAM, place on the dressed french bread.  Oh, I usually add ketchup and hot sauce to give it a little more kick!

Have you tried a New Orleans’ po boy?

IT’S NOVEMBER !!!

Growing up Christmas and Halloween was my favorite holiday, but as I became an adult, I will say Thanksgiving is #1 on my list.

I love preparing the Thanksgiving dinner with family, joking around with my sister and cousins and creating memories.  I love my family.

It’s Thanksgiving time, it’s turkey time!

This month I will be preparing our home for entertaining for the holiday season and cooking my family’s traditional Thanksgiving meals.