patti

I delivered the planned CFM earlier today, but now I’m getting ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so I will post about it later! Merry Christmas!

Yes, I forgot to mention the bacon! I have a bag of bacon crumbles from Costco and zapped a handful in the microwave to crisp them up. It did not suck as an addition. Some green onion would’ve also been nice.

Shrimp and (not) grits. Actually, just cheesy mashed cauliflower, but it worked.

Zatarain’s makes good products, but I’ve never used the gumbo mix. It would be worth giving it a try, except for the crazy prices! I looked at Walmart.ca, and they are currently out of stock … but that must mean that they sometimes have it in stock? I’d check there, and possibly request it, if they don’t usually stock it. This Louisiana based site seems to ship to Canada. I see that they sell two brands of gumbo base, Kary’s Gumbo base and Louisiana Gumbo base. Both of those companies make products I use. I’ve used Kary’s dark roux (in a jar), so I know they know what they’re doing: https://ca.creolefood.com/gumbo-base-and-mixes/

Thank you, ma’am! I get the darkest roux when I do it in the oven. ETA: I was in that gumbo cookoff, but my pics no longer show!

I first noticed them at Costco, but Albertsons has a Bob Mills brand, and now I just checked and Walmart has them! Shelby, there is good satisfying flavor and texture in this dish. I think you’ll love it. You can play with the ingredients, too. I usually have pecans on hand, but other nuts would be good, as well. After the veg is sautéed and the pecans slightly toasted, I add the hemp hearts, stir it around, and then add some chicken stock, and let it get absorbed. Season to taste. ETA: If you’re interested, I’ve made falafel and tabouleh with hemp hearts!

Those look amazing, and a nice variety! 😍 I made two cookie boxes a few days ago, but baked what I needed for those boxes (with extras for my husband). Chocolate chip, dark chocolate cranberry oatmeal, chocolate dipped peanut butter, and salted vanilla toffee cookies. I have cookie dough in the fridge for making boxes as needed, and will make more of some for the cookie tray.

I just checked on shipping frozen gumbo to Canada, but it appears that mixed ingredient foods are not allowed. 🤨 Gumbo is to Cajuns what pho is to the Vietnamese, or chicken soup is to the Jewish community. Soul soothing and comforting. With rice is best, of course: But sans rice, and with deviled eggs subbing for potato salad… also delicious. Seafood gumbo is pricey these days, but it is truly my favorite. I would LOVE to make it for Christmas Eve, but son and DIL wouldn’t eat any, and my husband would be good for one bowl and then done. Sigh. Not sure why I keep so many pics of gumbo on my computer, haha! Shrimp and okra gumbo.

Grilled filet and air fryer green beans a couple of nights ago. Leftover filet turned into beef & broccoli last night. And a little salad.

Last Christmas Eve was the first annual Mimi & Murphy making cookies for Santa event. We will repeat that, and have a simple gumbo for Christmas Eve dinner. We’ll be having Christmas dinner at son & DIL’s house, along with her parents, sisters, and their families. Everyone brings something, and mac and cheese and cookies were requested. I will happily comply. My DIL’s father is Lebanese and he will be making a couple of dishes that I look forward to trying. I’ll probably also bring a low carb faux wild rice pilaf, using hemp hearts in place of wild rice. It consists of diced mushrooms, chopped pecans, diced onions and red bell pepper, garlic, and hemp seed hearts. DIL and her mom and sisters enjoyed it last time I made some. And it ends up looking like this: The cookie tray will include lemon crinkles, dark chocolate dipped peanut butter, dark chocolate and cranberry oatmeal cookies*, salted vanilla toffee cookies, and the ubiquitous (but delicious) chocolate chip (with flaky salt). I’m not good at making pretty cookies, but I can make some that taste really good! *Might be replaced with iced gingerbread oatmeal cookies.

Thank you both for offering your opinions. Pulled ham sandwiches (on a sturdy bun) with pickles, and a side of broccoli salad does sound good (with plenty of red/green opportunities for a Christmas theme). Merci!

Already second guessing the pulled ham. Too similar to the pulled pork from a few weeks ago. It’s not off the table for the future, though.