47th meeting. Mardi Gras

Where? G's
Attendants: A, G, L, D, (E) plus guest S

Menu:
1) Jambalaya
2) King Cake
3) Hurricanes

Jambalaya

Ingredients:
1 large onion, chopped
2 bell peppers (green and yellow), chopped
3 - 6 cloves garlic, minced
3 ribs celery, chopped
1 small can tomato paste
2 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes with juice
1 small butternut squash, cubed (roasted in oven for 30 min)
4 cups vegetable stock
Creole seasoning blend to taste
additional cayenne, black pepper, white pepper, oregano, thyme
2 bay leaves
liquid smoke
2.5 cups Uncle Ben's long-grain white rice, uncooked
2 pkgs better than chicken strips

Directions:
Saute onions, peppers and celery in a little olive oil until onions are translucent. Add tomato paste and allow to darken. Add seasoning and rice. Add tomatoes and stock. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes until broth is absorbed. Saute strips in olive oil and garlic and add to rice. Add squash. Adjust seasonings.

King Cake: see http://kitteekake.blogspot.com/2008/02/king-cake.html

Hurricanes:
4 oz fruit juice (pineapple/orange/guava/papaya/grape/pear)
1 oz dark rum
Splash lime juice
Splash grenadine
Shake over ice