Fall....Fall...Fall...

with a little bit of ....FALL!!!!

It is truly my favorite time of year. The introduction of the cool weather makes me want to go run around the pasture like horses do...bucking their legs up in the air because they feel
OH! SO!!!! ZIPPY!!!!

I also love the fact that the weather is absolutely perfect for those cozy, snuggly, warm and comforting foods that are only good when the temperature goes below 70.

Awh...I love it.

The girls were able to experience their first day of true Fall weather yesterday. They got to bundle up in their little jackets and all. They were in love with their little hoodies. How do I know? Instead of pulling them off of their heads, they made sure they stayed on. How cute is that?!?

Tell me that's not precious...I know they're mine...but dont'cha wanna just eat 'em up; crumbs and all?!!?!?

In honor of FALL

Today, Mike and I made one of our favorite Fall meals...Gumbo. We started making this meal when we lived in the apartment almost 2 years ago. This is actually a meal that Mike likes to cook...I just cut the veggies, measure out the ingredients for him, and monitor colors (like the color of the flour...). He does an amazing job I must say.

Ingredients

3 large boneless skinless chicken breast halves
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons butter
3 medium size onions, chopped
8 cloves garlic minced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped (red pepper works too)
3 stalks celery chopped
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 bunch flat leaf parsley coarsely chopped
4 cups hot water
5 beef bouillon cubes
1 (14-ounce can) stewed tomatoes with juice
2 cups frozen sliced okra


Cut your chicken in to bite size pieces and season it with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pot oven over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until browned and remove. Add the sausage and cook until browned, then remove. Sprinkle the flour over the oil, add 2 tablespoons of butter and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until brown, about 10 minutes.




Return the pot to a low heat and melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Add all of the veggies except the parsley and cook for 10 minutes. Add Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, to taste and the 1/4 bunch parsley. Cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Add 4 cups hot water and bouillon cubes. Stir for a couple of minutes to help break the cubes a part. Add the chicken and sausage. Cover the pot and BTB-RTS (Bring To Boil - Reduce to Simmer) for 45 minutes. Add tomatoes and okra. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.


We eat this over rice. Plain white rice cooked in our rice steamer. You can also add shrimp to the recipe. If you do, I would only add about 1/2 lb right at the end. Shrimp cooks really fast and if cooked too long it will taste rubbery. You don't want that. I was thinking too...potatoes would be good in this with an extra 2 cups of water and maybe an extra bouillon cube or 2. I would also add more tomatoes. That's just me though.


This is definitely a rich and cozy meal. Perfect for chilly or rainy days when all you want to do is stay in your PJ's and watch movies or the fire all day long. It fills you up and comforts your soul. Just what we need.

I know it looks like a lot of work and a lot of ingredients, but you have most of them already. A little tip...measure, chop, and set up everything at first and then begin the cooking process. It goes much smoother that way.


Sharing this with friends over at Tidy Mom and Amy's Finer Things