Jambalaya, crawfish pie and a filet gumbo

If the title didn't tip you off, I was craving cajun food. I have made etouffee once or twice, it was good, and some cajun chicken pasta. But never tried my hand at Jambalaya. It awlays sounded like something I wouldn't be able to get David to eat. This particular recipe I came across actually called for baking and serving it in a zucchini boat. Now, while David has recently discovered that Zucchini is pretty good, I have to be very careful how I tread here. I don't want to scare him off. But I went ahead and gave it a go.
I find the biggest problem with cajun recipes is the green peppers. My hubs really doesn't like them at all. But from experience, I know you really need them to add that true flavor. So if I chop them super fine. I mean, almost pureed, i can get them in. If he doesn't see them, the taste blends in and contributes over all and it isn't an issue. It just means a little extra work.  I actually do put it through the food processor.
Bt this recipe turned out really well. REALLY Well. We loved it. And I would say it is simple enough for a week night meal. Give it a try.
Adapted from the St Pete Times
Jambalaya Stuffed Zucchini
2 medium zucchini - halved lengthwise
1/4 t salt
1/4t garlic powder
1/4t blk pepper
1 T Olive oil
1 small red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 C diced green bell pepper
1/2C diced celery
1/4 C Tomato paste
1/2 t cajun seasoning ( I used Zatarains Creole)
1t hot sauce
1t Worcestershire
1/2 C chopped andouille sausage
1/2 C shredded cooked chicken
1 C cooked brown rice
Juice of half lemon

Heat oven to 400.
Scrape out and discard seeds from zucchin, creating canoes. Sprinkle with S/ P garlic powder, set on baking sheet.
In a large skillet over medium, heat the olive oil. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, 4- 5 mins.
Add green pepper and celery and cook another 4 mins until soft. Add tomato paste, cajun seasoning, hot sauce and worcestershire sauce. Cook until the mixture becomes aromatic and begins to darken in color, about 2 - 3 mins.
Stir in sausage and chicken and rice. Adjust seasoning with S/P and lemon juice. Scoop into zucchini boats.
Roast for 20 mins or until boat is soft.
(the recipe also called for shrimp, feel free to add that).

Catching up

Originally, the idea behind this blog was to be able to report on any number of projects. 

I never intended this to just be about cooking. While I certainly love to cook and that is something one tends to do consistently, I also like to make lots of things. I wanted a forum to be able to show those things as well. 

Summer tends to bring a lull in projects for me. I like to hit the beach and seems like there are more visitors. Whatever the reason I am rarely inspired to create much beyond food during that time. As we roll into fall I am thinking more and more towards things I want to create. I did actually finish up something I had started planning early in the summer. So that is going to be my first project post. Then I have a few meals I want to share. 

So my friend is pregnant, which has brought me around to more thoughts of babies than usual, (usual, heck, more than ever!). I started thinking about memory collages and such. My friend isn't due until Dec, so back in June I asked a co workers if she had any memorabilia from when her 5yr old daughter was born. And if she did, would she trust me with them to play around and create something for her. I was quite honored that she did. So she brought in a small bag full of little reminders of when she had brought little Nikki home. Among otherthings, there was a birth announcement, the plastic bracelets with their names on them, the little crocheted hat she wore home and a little dress and booties, and also a small lock of hair. I was immediatly inspired to create something of a vintage nature. Something that brings to mind warm fuzzy memories. It will hold special meaning for mom for the rest of her life. 

I recently discovered these beautiful little feet that turn a shadow box into a standing diorama. So much easier to display than to only be able to hang it. It transormf it into a more substantial piece in my opinion. 

 I asked her mama to write down the things she would like to wish for her little one, and I highlighted her pretty face with an optical glass. 

The top right corner holds a small glass vial with the hair, ribboned to a vintage key. (Lock of hair and a key. ;) )  Some translucent golden paper gives it that olden glow. Plus some beautiful staining ink. 

I was really pleased with this memory box. Mom was too. She was thrilled. 

Mission accomplished.