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Friday, September 27, 2013

0 THE Best Crockpot Gumbo Recipe

So, Mr.Texan can make a mean beer can chicken! Lately, we've been on a chicken kick. It seriously felt like he was making a beer can chicken every other day, not that I'm complaining though. Anyway, the first time I tasted it, I thought, "Man this would be good in some gumbo!"  So, I went on the search for THE gumbo recipe. 

I asked friends, did a lot of pinteresting, and finally came across this recipe.

This was THE gumbo recipe One of my must haves was that the recipe call for fresh okra, because our okra is still producing really well in the garden. It was hard to find that because every recipe I found called for frozen okra. This was the first and practically only recipe I found that had the option for fresh. I was worried about the slime, but it cooked all day and was absolutely perfect by supper time, complete without the slime!

You can definitely cook this on the stovetop if you don't have time for the crockpot, but I'd say because it cooked all day the flavors were amazing and melded together oh so well. 

Want to know how to make it? I know you do. 

First, the recipe said to make the roux.  The roux needs your attention, and also needs to cool when you're done. So, do your prep work of veggies after you finish the roux so it can cool while you get the rest of the ingredients together. 

Ingredients:
1/3 cup flour 
1/3 cup oil (I used veggie oil)
3 cups water
12 oz cooked sausage link, sliced (We use local Chappel Hill Sausage. If your grocery sells it, try it! You'll love it!)
1/2 cup diced cooked chicken (I used the dark meat from one of Mr. Texan's beer can chicken. Next time I think I'll use the whole chicken.)
2 cups sliced okra (or 10 oz package frozen okra)
1 cup onion, diced (about 1 large onion, I use yellow)
1/2 cup green bell pepper (I didn't have any on hand, so I omitted this, but will add it next time I make it.)
1/2 cup celery, diced (approx 3-4 ribs)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper 
1/4 tsp ground red pepper (I used chili pepper flakes bc that's what I had on hand.)
3 cups hot cooked rice (We like a wild rice blend, but use whatever you have.)

To make the roux, stir together the flour and oil in a medium saucepan until smooth. Cook over med-high heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. You don't want to burn your flour, so stirring constantly is important. Reduce heat to medium; cook and stir constantly about 15 minutes more until it's a dark, reddish-brown color. When you get that pretty color, let it cool. It will thicken significantly while it cools. 



Next, prep all your veggies and get your spices together while the roux cools. 

When roux is cooled, place water in the crockpot. 


Add the roux to the water in the crockpot. Stir.  Mine didn't combine with the water at all, so don't let that worry you. It didn't affect the end result at all. 

Add the sausage and chicken, I promise the sausage is hiding under that yummy looking chicken. 



Add the sliced okra. 


Add the diced onion. 


Now, add the diced celery. 


Next add the garlic, salt, pepper, and chili flakes or red pepper. 



When you've got it all in the crockpot it will look like this...


Mix it all together. 


Set the crockpot on low for 6-7 hours if you have all day. If you need it to cook faster, set it on high for 3-4 hours. 


The recipe says, when it's finished cooking to skim the fat. I didn't have much if any fat to skim. Then, serve over hot rice, and of course, most of all, enjoy!


This will be made multiple times when the cooler weather hits here in Texas.  Which, never seems to be fast enough!

I hope y'all enjoy this recipe and come back to see what The Paisley Texan Creates next.  
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Friday, May 31, 2013

0 A Grocery Budget Savings Tip - Zaycon Foods

Howdy!  The Paisley Texan is back, finally, I know, I know, it's been too long!  I have to give a shout out to a sweet girl from my church, Alyssa.  She started a blog, http://familytimesbyj.blogspot.com/, as her summer project and inspired me to write a post tonight!  Thanks Alyssa :)

I don't have a creation for you today, but I have a tip to share with you that Mr. Texan and I use to save some money with the grocery budget.  We can all use a little help there can't we?
Have you ever heard of Zaycon Foods?  We are new to it, but I've seen it on a few of the blogs I follow and heard those ladies raving about it, and thought why not lets check it out.  
We recently participated in their "Fresh Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast Event". Their meat is 100% natural chicken with no added hormones, additives or artificial ingredients.  It comes 40 lbs to a case, at approximately $70+ dollars (can't remember the exact price).  Mr. Texan and I were excited for such a good price for chicken breasts, not to mention no hormones, additives, or artificial ingredients, and it's never been frozen!  Comes directly from the processor.  The only thing you have to know before ordering is, that the breasts are pretty big, when you receive them.  Mr. Texan and I cut them into serving sizes, and then vacuum sealed them about 4-6 to a package, since we don't normally cook more than that at a time.  We still have chicken breasts coming out of ears (:
So, we've been anxiously awaiting their Ground Beef Event.  That time is finally here!  Their beef is LFTB free (no pink slime), the cattle are grass fed and supplemented with grain when they reach 700 pounds, there are no hormones or antibiotics in the beef and it is 100% grown in the USA.  There are no chemicals, additives, or water added to the meat.  Plus, and this is a big plus, its super lean 93/7 ground beef!  To buy lean beef like that in the store you are looking at about $5 a pound, maybe $4.50 on sale.  Zaycon sells a 40 lb case at $3.49 a pound.  Not too shabby if you ask me!  I'll take that savings, especially for the peace of mind that I'm not feeding my family the dreaded pink slime.  (:

https://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf185499

I've included the link above for you to go check them out!  Those are the two big events that we are interested in at this time.  They do sell other things like bacon, sausage, chicken tenders, and some other things.  So, there is surely something you might be interested in!  We hope you enjoy the savings and peace of mind like we have!  Also, if you click through my link and sign up under me, I get a referral bonus.  You can do the same by sharing with your friends as well.  I believe it is $1 for every person that signs up and orders from Zaycon.  Now, I have to say, I have not been "compensated" at all by Zaycon for writing this review, we just love the company that much <3

Y'all enjoy! Come back, soon I promise, to see what The Paisley Texan creates next...
 
 
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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

0 Day of Thankfulness 28

Today I'm thankful for how well my 2 sweet girls get along. I pray this lasts forever ;)

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

0 Day of Thankfulness 27

Today I'm thankful for cooler weather. I love being able to turn off the AC, work around the house without dying in the heat, pull out my cozy sweaters, soups in the crockpot, and warm roaring fires in the fireplace!! <3

Monday, November 26, 2012

0 Day of Thankfulness 26

Today I'm thankful for the snuggles we've gotten with the girls this morning while watching cartoons. Thankful to have a few days with Garrett off to recover from all the holiday festivities. Thankful to not have to rush out of bed to do anything this morning <3

Sunday, November 25, 2012

0 Day of Thankfulness 25

Today I'm thankful for my sweet mom, Nancy Scoggins Keithley! Without her I'd be lost a lot of the time. I'm thankful she is always there for advice, love, prayers, or a hug. Thanks mom! Love you bunches and happy birthday <3

Saturday, November 24, 2012

0 Day of Thankfulness 24

Today I'm thankful for this gorgeous day! It's the perfect day to be outdoors. Man, God sure can paint a pretty picture ;)