(The following post includes a look into my trouble psyche. There will be proof that I suffer from delusions of granduer, boredom and love of all things southern. Thank you ahead of time for not calling the authorities as you surely will gather I am not sane enough to care for my children.)
Tonight I recieved this message in my email…
Hi, dejoniconley.
Southern Living (livehealthyblog) is now following your tweets on Twitter.
Lawd, have mercy.
I got the vapors.
Where’s a brown paper bag when you need one?
I had to place the back of my hand on my forehead and swoon.
Does anyone hand out brown paper bags anymore????
Southern Living is the epitome of all that is well and good in the southern world. The southern woman’s bible and best friend. The holy grail.
(Insert pipe organ music)
I have read Southern Living since I was knee high to a grasshopper. It’s still a staple in my house and my kids love looking at all the recipes.
Suddenly my mind was filled with dreams of being showcased in Southern Living. I would be famous and adored and worshipped by every man, woman and child south of the Mason-Dixon line.
(Insert bluegrass music)
I also had a sudden urge to tease my hair really big.
I told my husband he better have sex with me now so he could brag to everyone abouting sleeping with someone famous. He laughed so hard he fell off the bed.
Troll.
Seeing as I’ve already been featured as one cover girl, I didn’t see Southern Living as that much of a stretch.
Anyway, a girl can dream.
In the bizarre instance that Southern Living ever checks me out, I am including my recipe for Seafood Gumbo. The only reason I’m giving it out is that soon you will be reading my recipes in the magazine and I won’t have to include it in my impending cookbook.
(Again, insert pipe organ music)
This recipe seems difficult but it’s not. A large number of ingredients are required and I recommend getting everything ready before you start. If you live in a rural area as I do, it’s not always easy to find fresh herbs. You can substitute dried but be sure to cut the measurements down to a 1/3.
Seafood Gumbo
Roux- 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup oil
Soup- 1/2 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/2 Tbsp salt
1 can whole tomatoes
1 Tbsp minced shallots
1/2 lb diced grouper or sea bass
1/2-1 tsp hot pepper sauce
1 Tbsp fresh basil
1 tsp fresh oregano
1 tsp fresh thyme
2 tsp Creole seasoning (more to taste for your preference)
1/2 lb fresh peeled shrimp
1/2 lb crab meat
4 cups cooked, warm rice
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped red peppers
1/8 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp minced garlic
2 qts chicken stock
1 tsp Worchestshire sauce
6 bay leaves
1 lb Andouille sausage
First, you need to make the roux. Take a medium size cast iron skillet and heat oil on high until almost smoking. This is essential. Get it hot. Add flour and whisk continuously until it achieves a dark, mahogany color. This will take anywhere from 6 to 12 minutes depending on temperature.
Once desired color develops, add onions, celery and red/green peppers. Saute 1 minute. Add salt and pepper, tomatoes, garlic and shallots. Saute 4 minutes. Add stock, fish, Worchestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, bay leaves, basil, oregano and thyme.
Bring to a boil and cook on high heat for 8 minutes. Stir occasionally. Reduce heat to medium and add Creole seasoning. After a few minutes, reduce heat to low and simmer at least 15 minutes.
Turn heat back to high adding shrimp, crab and Andouille sausage. Cook for 5 minutes.
Lower heat and simmer until ready to serve over warm rice.
Tweets that mention Because I have a dream and it includes gumbo » Southern Fried Momma -- Topsy.com said,
January 8, 2010 at 12:55 am:
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dejoni, Dejoni. Dejoni said: Delusions of grandeur and a Southern Living Debut? http://southernfriedmomma.com/2010/01/08/because-i-have-a-dream-and-it-includes-gumbo/ [...]
Sharlene said,
January 8, 2010 at 6:22 am:
You crack me up! And I am taking that recipe and making it for my brother's girilfriend from Mississippi so don't fail me baby. Anyone good enough for Southern Living is good enough for me!
dejoni said,
January 8, 2010 at 8:23 pm:
Yum!
Momisodes said,
January 8, 2010 at 10:23 pm:
I'm still giggling at “I got the vapors”
This recipe sounds awesome! I hope Southern Living picks you up. They would be crazy not to.
Pissy said,
January 9, 2010 at 10:57 pm:
I think you need your own monthly column in Southern Living.
Awesome cheekbones, btw.
Pissy said,
January 9, 2010 at 10:57 pm:
you deserve a monthly column at Southern Living! I'd subscribe again!
awesome cheek bones, btw.
Pissy said,
January 9, 2010 at 10:59 pm:
OK…… i left a second comment because I thought the first one didn't post.
I'm really not a stalker.
Really.
Ali said,
January 12, 2010 at 12:00 am:
Hi beautiful!!
SO exciting about Southern Living!! There is a Cathedral following me LOL
xoxo
tipper said,
January 12, 2010 at 6:03 pm:
Just don't go and forget the us little people who knew you before you were famous ; )
Erin Street said,
January 12, 2010 at 8:12 pm:
It's actually not bizarre – Southern Living here. Actually Erin Street — I'm an editor at SL and manage @livehealthyblog. We are honored that you are a fan and would love to consider you as a Southern Manama Blogger of the Week. Check it out here. http://livehealthy.southernliving.com/family/
I will DM you to get some more information. Again, thanks for reading!
debbietibbs said,
January 15, 2010 at 4:30 pm:
That gumbo looks good and so does your blog, saw it on Southern Living site. I'm pretty sure you are going to get many hits to your site.
Nice to meet another southern girl.
Nancy said,
January 23, 2010 at 3:04 pm:
This sounds really good, (but, sorry there always has to be one of those) you do not tell us how many people this recipe will serve