Emily’s Gumbo

My eldest daughter has perfected the fine art of Gumbo making.  It is just how our family likes it.  Believe it or not, I taught her how to make this dish, but truth be told hers is MUCH better than any other. J  She only shares her recipe with those she loves, and she loves all the readers of our family recipe blog. Dig in!!

Emily’s Gumbo

4-5 bell peppers, roasted and diced

1 large yellow onion

half a bunch of celery, diced

1.5 T. Garlic

1/2 cup butter 

1/2 cup flour

2 quarts of chicken broth

2 cans of petite diced tomatoes

1.5 lbs chicken breast/thighs, diced

2 packages kielbasa sausage, diced

Frank’s Red Hot** (to taste usually use 1/4-1/2 cup)

salt and pepper, to taste

Saute´ peppers, onions, garlic, and celery together in butter, when onions are translucent add the flour.  Cook 3-4 minutes. Add chicken broth and tomatoes. Add diced chicken and kielbasa. Simmer until chicken is cooked through. Add Frank’s Red Hot, and salt and pepper. Taste for flavors. Serve over rice. 

**This is one of the secrets of this meal.  It has to be Frank’s. ;)

Bow Tie Spinach Salad

This delicious salad is a family favorite for lunch or dinner; it's a wonderful meal.

Bow Tie Spinach Salad

8 c. baby spinach                                                      1/4  c. salted sunflower seeds

8 oz. bow-tie pasta, cooked & cooled                     1/2 each: red & yellow pepper, chopped
1/2  bunch green onions, chopped                           4 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded or diced

1 - 2 T. parsley, chopped (optional)

Dressing:

1/2 c. oil                                                                    6 T. sugar

2/3 c. soy sauce (or tamari for GF)                           1/2 t. pepper

2/3 c. rice vinegar                                                     1/4 c. sesame seeds

Combine dressing ingredients in a large zip-lock bag or Tupperware bowl. Add cooked-shredded chicken and marinate overnight in refrigerator. Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl. Just before serving toss with dressing and chicken mixture.

Wonderful Sloppy Joes

I was home with a terrible sneezing cold when this recipe was featured on a local television channel by a local grocer.  I was too under-the-weather to write it down, but went to the grocer later to get it.  We’ve used it for years.

~Dana~

Wonderful Sloppy Joes

2 lbs ground meat (beef, pork, etc.)

1 chopped onion

½ t. salt

½ t. black pepper

1 cup catsup

½ cup water

6 T. BBQ sauce

3 T cider vinegar

2 T prepared mustard

4 t. Worcestershire sauce

4 drops tobasco sauce

Brown: meat and onion with salt and pepper.  Add: remaining ingredients. 

Heat through.

  May be placed in a crock-pot and kept warm for many hours on low.