Not So Fat Tuesday

So, today is Fat Tuesday where everyone gets to pretend that they know something about New Orleans. Including me! I however, have an advantage over most people, because I have been there... Once... For 3 days... In the fall... Whatever! Lets celebrate!!! Laissez les Bon temps Roulez!!
Fat Tuesday, traditionally is the day and night of celebration before Lent ( Catholic Abstinence Month) preach all year, feast all year . Hypocrisies aside, Fat Tuesday used to be when Catholic families ate any Lard (fat), eggs and flour that they would abstain from for the coming month before Easter. Now it's Fat Tuesday because all the beer makes us fat ( and apparently slutty)

So I'm Making Gumbo!!!

The important thing about Gumbo is the Roux. This thickening agent means the difference between a Gumbo and a soup. A roux is typically made with butter, lard and flour browning the bottom of the pot and being scraped and stirred together. Not tonight!! For my Low-Fat Tuesday Gumbo I use Olive Oil and flour, and slowly mix in a whole chopped onion , Worcestershire,balsamic vinegar, and chicken stock. After these ingredients make a nice sludge, add a can of chicken broth, a can of stewed tomatoes (with juice) and chopped up Potato, celery, carrots, parsnip,jalapeno, yellow chili's and garlic. Simmer until soft.


Then add shredded chicken, sliced andouille and Tabasco. Let that sit for a while and season it to your taste with salt, pepper, Cayanne, old bay, and creole seasoning. Right before you are ready to serve it , 5 minutes or so, add 1/2 Pound of shrimp. Serve it up with some nice crusty french bread and settle in with some Southern Comfort on the rocks and Interview with the Vampire on VHS and you have your self one hell of a not so fat Tuesday!!