Mardi Gras Recipes

After venturing down to Florida for Spring Break, my friends and I decided to try some southern cooking. As part of our Mardi Gras celebration we focused on Cajun food specifically. In the spirit of things, I choose a few hearty and spicy to recipes to follow. The first recipe I came upon that caught my interest was for Bubba’s Shrimp Gumbo. Being an avid “Forrest Gump” lover, I was thrilled to try this.

Bubba’s Shrimp Gumbo

Ingredients
1 c. butter
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 chopped yellow onion
1/4 c. chopped celery
1/4 c. chopped green bell pepper
1 tsp minced garlic
1 c. sliced okra
3 c. shrimp stock
2 c. clam juice
1 c. chopped tomatoes with juice (from a can)
3 bay leaves
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp dried basil leaves
1/2 tspn finely ground black pepper
1 1/2 c. cooked smoked sausage
2 lbs. shrimp, uncooked, cleaned and deveined

Directions
In a large heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt 1 cup of the butter. Add the flour, and cook on low heat until the roux is dark brown. Continue for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the onions, celery, peppers and garlic and saute until translucent.
Mix in the okra and the remaining ingredients, until thick. This takes about 1 hour. Before serving, remove the bay leaves. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve over white rice, if desired.

The gumbo turned out deliciously. I was careful to let the gumbo thicken long enough that it could be eaten as a single entrée, although it could have been eaten with rice. At my friends’ request, I also decided to make green beans and cornbread to accompany my gumbo. I found a green bean recipe with a spicy twist. I added honey to my cornbread to balance out the other spicy and savory flavors of the meal.

Spicy Green Beans

Ingredients
Frozen Green Beans
Chili Sauce
Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil

Directions
Place the green beans with a drop of olive oil in a frying pan. Begin to cook on low heat. Add chile sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook for at least a half hour to let frozen beans thaw and the flavors sink in.

Honey Cornbread

Ingredients
1c. cornmeal
1c. all purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2c. granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
1 c. whole milk
2 large eggs
1/4c. melted butter
1/4 c. honey

Directions
Preheat oven to 400° F. Mix the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, butter, and honey. Add the second mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until mixed. Grease a 9’ x 9’ pan, pour in the mixture, and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden.
Overall, the meal went off as a hit! Although the faint of heart should be warned, with the exception of the cornbread, these recipes had a kick to them.

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