Steve's Mardi Gras Gumbo

My allergy to shellfish usually keeps me from enjoying Gumbo for Mardi Gras - until my husband adapted an old favorite recipe, using leftover rotisserie turkey, chicken and boudin sausage. We seldom follow a recipe without tweaking it a bit, and feel free to make your own adaptations.

Ingredients:

1 T plus 1/2 cup vegetable oil

3-4 pounds total of chicken, turkey and/or sausage (andouille, kielbasa or boudin) 

1 T creole seasoning

1 c flour

2 c chopped onions

1 c chopped celery

1 c chopped bell peppers

1 t salt

1/4 t cayenne pepper

9 c chicken stock 

White rice, cooked

1/2 c chopped scallions

Hot sauce, if desired

In a large Dutch oven, heat 1 T oil over medium-high heat.  Season the meat and cook until browned - If using leftover meat already cooked, skip this step.  Remove meat and set aside.  Combine 1/2 c vegetable oil and flour in the Dutch oven, stirring constantly to make a dark brown roux - about 20 minutes.  Add the onions, celery, and bell peppers, and cook for about 5 minutes.  Add salt and pepper, then slowly add the chicken stock, stirring until well combined.  Add cooked meat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.   Serve over a bowl of white rice and top with scallions and hot sauce.  Enjoy!

Done In a Day: Embellished Photo Frames

Embellished photo frames are very popular for this Spring's home decor.  Specialty shops are selling 5"x7" embellished frames for as much as $50.  Many of us have a few old photo frames lying around that could use a facelift.  It is easy and inexpensive to update frames for a high-end look. We created this one with ribbon and a decorative brooch pin with a broken clasp. (Craft stores also carry a selection of beaded embellishments for less than $2.00 each.)  To create the bow, we tied a center bow then attached two ribbon tails with thread. Next we hot glued the bow onto the frame, then attached the pin in the center with hot glue.  These decorative frames add a focal point to tabletops or mantles, and are wonderful gifts for friends and family.