Cookie's Southern Style: March 2011

Friday, March 4, 2011

Creative Bed Options

I have been searching for a full size bed for over a year now. The only full size beds that I have found have been in the children's section of most stores. I placed a full size bed frame in my study/guest bedroom last year to accommodate my visitors. Since I have't found anything yet, I decided to remove the make shift headboard that is currently in the room and replace with something that would compliment my new comforter set that I purchased at Hemisphere (my favorite store). While moving mirrors around in my home I came up with a great idea! "Use a mirror as a headboard!" Take a look at the outcome! This will definitely work out until I find a bed that will catch my eye!

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After

Southern Spice Recipe by Cookie Hudson Catering

Ingredients:3/4 cup margarine, 3/4 cup all purpose flour, 2 celery stalks, peeled and chopped, 3 large onions, chopped, 1 green bell pepper, chopped, 1 red bell pepper, chopped,1 yellow bell pepper, chopped, 2 bay leaves, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons, dried oregano, crumbled, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 5 (8 oz.) bottles clam juice, 2 (28 oz.) cans Cajun style diced tomatoes, 2 pounds Smoked Andouille sausage, halved lengthwise, sliced 1/4 inch thick, 2 pounds okra, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, 2 pounds large Shrimp, uncooked, peeled and deveined, 3 tomatoes, seeded, diced, 1 pound rice, cooked

Directions:

Heat oil in a large iron skillet over high heat until almost smoking. Add flour, stirring constantly until you get a dark red-brown rue, about 8 minutes. Add celery, onions and bell peppers. Cook 5 minutes, stirring and scraping bottom of pan often. Mix in bay leaves, salt, oregano and cayenne. Add clam juice, canned tomatoes and sausage. Boil 15 minutes. Add okra, reduce heat and simmer until okra is tender, about 15 minutes. Cover and chill to let the flavors merge. Bring to simmer before continuing. Add shrimp to gumbo and simmer until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Ladle over rice and top with tomatoes.

"Chicken Creole" Recipe

Cooked leftover chicken can be tossed into this gumbo and simmered with tomatoes, mushrooms, chile peppers, a little of this and a little of that. Delicious chicken gumbo consistency with tomato base served over a bed of rice

Ingredients:

1/4 cup oil for frying

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast

meat

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with

green chile peppers, with liquid

1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms,

drained

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

3 dashes hot sauce

Directions:

1.

Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until mixture is the color of a copper penny. Reduce heat to low and stir in bell pepper and onion. Cook 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally.

2.

Add chicken, tomatoes with green chile peppers, mushrooms, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, soy sauce, sugar, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Stir together, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Recipe

Ingredients:

2 egg whites, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley

1 1/4 teaspoons Old Bay or Creole/Cajun seasoning

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 cup soft bread crumbs

1 pound fresh lump crabmeat, drained

Preparation:

Combine egg whites, mayonnaise, parsley, Creole seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and dry mustard. Gently stir in the bread crumbs and crabmeat. Shape mixture into 8 patties, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Place patties on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper or non-stick foil; cover and chill for 30 to 60 minutes.

Spray a large nonstick skillet with vegetable cooking spray or use a little olive oil to coat the bottom. Place over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add crab cakes; cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until browned.

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Friday, March 4, 2011

Creative Bed Options