Tag Archives: jalapenos

New England Gumbo

I am definitely not from the South never living anywhere but NH; well technically I live in Southern NH; but I don’t think that counts. I do love food from all over the world so I thought I would try making a gumbo of sorts.  I say sorts only because I didn’t put okra in it and I don’t want to offend anyone; I have a feeling people who make a traditional gumbo will only call it so if it contains okra.

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I do love shrimp, sausage, cooked onions, garlic and chicken broth plus a little heat is a wonderful addition so how could it be nothing but delicious!  It was I think I am going to make it tomorrow night, I don’t have everything I need right now otherwise I would be making it right now as my mouth is watering  and have it for dinner tonight.  Who knows maybe I’ll pick up some okra and try it.  If I do I will make sure to share how it came out.

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New England Gumbo – only because that is where I live

¾ of cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil

1-2 boneless skinless chicken breast chopped

1-2 links pork sausage either sliced; casing removed or crumbled in chunks

¾ cup flour

2-3 garlic cloves minced

3 quarts chicken broth

Bottle or can of beer

5 celery ribs, diced

4 Roma tomatoes, diced – Or use Can of peeled San Marzano tomatoes; squeezed while pouring; to break them up a bit

1 sweet onion, diced

1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, with liquid

2-3 jalapenos cleaned and diced

2-3 Tbs. Cajun seasoning – make sure you find a good one, or double check how much salt is included and adjust accordingly

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

Heat 2 Tbs olive oil in a dutch oven, medium high heat cook the chicken and sausage through around 6-7 minutes.  Drain meat and set aside, add onion, celery, jalapeno and cook for 3-4 minutes just till tender, add garlic cook another minute; add oil and flour; cook and brown a little 5-6 minutes stirring so it doesn’t stick.  Add the Cajun seasoning stir to coat and gradually add the broth and beer.  Add the can of diced tomatoes with chile peppers.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer about 40 minutes, stirring often.

Add Chicken, sausage, and shrimp into the broth mixture; Cook, stirring frequently, about 10-20 minutes.

Enjoy with corn bread and a beer – life is good!!!

Weeknight Marinara Sauce

I have had a cold all week and it stinks so I decided it was a good idea to make some soup. I pulled a half dozen or so butternut squash’s from my garden so why not make a butternut squash soup. I will admit I have never really had one that I liked so I was pretty skeptical about making one. I found one online that roasted squash, onions and apples together; I liked the sound of it the smell was awesome. Unfortunately I didn’t like this one either so I am not going to share it with you all. I am very lucky that when we do not like things I can send them home with my in-laws and they end up loving it; or at least that is what they tell me.

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I did make a delicious spaghetti sauce from most of the remaining tomatoes that I got from my garden and a tossed salad with the last of my cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes. So it was nice I made something we all liked that I could share with you.

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Most people I know have a go to sauce that they make, one of my girlfriends takes all day to make and it is amazing so I get it. When I have the time that is fine to have it simmering on the stove all day; most times I decide last minute that I want spaghetti for dinner. Those times I have a quick marinara sauce that has lots of flavor and it perfect for a weeknight meal.

Sauce

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

2 small onions; chopped

3 cloves of garlic; minced

1 ½ tsp red pepper flakes or substitute with 2-3 jalapenos cleaned and chopped fine

1 ½ tsp sugar

2-28 ounce cans whole San Marzano plum tomatoes – or substitute with 8-9 tomatoes from your garden

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add the onions cook for 2-3 minutes; add garlic cook another minute; season with salt and the red pepper flakes cook till onions soften 7-8 minutes. Add the sugar and tomatoes; either squeeze them or break them up with a wooden spoon. Reduce heat to medium low and cook stirring from time to time until the tomatoes are broken down, 10-15 minutes. Taste for seasoning.

If you do use your tomatoes you are going to want to remove the seeds and skin – I cooked my tomatoes first then put them through my new food mill.

Cook your pasta of choice and enjoy!

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