Friday, September 15, 2017

Lea's Favorites



It's time for a few favorites and today's is all about food items.  I always enjoy hearing from folks about their "kitchen secrets" and today I'm sharing some of mine with you.  You can thank me later!


My son and DIL shared this "secret" with me a few weeks ago.  These are seasoned chicken breasts that are ready for the grill, the stove or the oven and they are so good "they will make you slap your pappy."  ~giggle~  They come in Tuscan, Lemon Pepper and one other that I can't recall. They are vacuumed sealed and last a long time in the refrigerator or they can be frozen. We get these at Wal-Mart but I'm betting other grocery stores have something very similar. Makes for a very good meal.
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Surely everyone reading this knows about Steamables.  But, in case you don't, I feel it's my duty to inform you.  I use these a lot for my lunch and eat the entire bag.  These shown are so very low in calories and I like eating them with some crackers.  I occasionally do use them for a side dish with our meals.  They are so easy and very good.
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On our recent trip to Atlanta my SIL and BIL introduced me to Halo Top.  It is a great low calorie, high protein, low sugar ice cream.  There are several flavors to choose from and I was so glad that our Wal-Mart carried them.  I was afraid I would get home and not be able to find them.  Now, they are pricey at $3.89 a pint.  Ouch!  but for a real treat once in a while it doesn't hurt to splurge! As to the name, I don't have a clue where that came from.
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Fall is teasing us a bit and I've gotten excited about making "pots of" stuff.  A couple of weeks ago I made a pot of gumbo and I always use the above mix to make mine.  Yep, this gal doesn't make her own roux and I can almost promise you that you would not know the difference if you tasted it.  I was told about this great base 4-5 years ago and I have so enjoyed using it.  In fact, I had never made gumbo until I found out about this. I generally make 3-4 packages of this at a time, share it with friends and freeze some for later.  It freezes beautifully!


The recipe on the back of the gumbo base package calls for water, something like 8 cups.  Well, instead of water, I use this low sodium chicken broth and I think it adds soooo much more flavor.  And, I reduce the water by 2 cups.  I like hearty gumbo!  And, I use shrimp, chicken and sausage in my gumbo and of course, okra, and I use a bag(s) of the frozen kind.


And, again, surely all of you reading this know about Seasoning Blend!  I also use it in my gumbo and a whole slew of other dishes.   I have probably never chopped onions, peppers and celery since this came out and again, I do NOT think you can tell the difference.  But, if you still chop your own, that's fine with me but you really should try this! ~just sayin'~  Talk about quick and easy!  So, now you know my favorite way to make gumbo and some of my favorite ingredients I use to make it. And, I'm really not bragging, but my Hubby says it's the BEST!  So, give it a try, it is a Louisiana staple!

Until next time...............




Lea @ CiCis Corner
Lea @ CiCis Corner

Hi there! My name is Lea. I've been wife to the best Hubby for 44 years....Mom to a son and daughter....CiCi to 4 precious Grans....lover of family and friends....enjoy laughter and a good time....shopper....picture taking maniac....maker of delicious fudge....organizational enthusiast....memory maker....Southern Belle...and most importantly.....a Child of the King! Welcome to my little corner!

13 comments:

  1. Happy Weekend to you too and thanks for the tips! I am always looking for new things to try:) Have a blessed Friday dear friend, HUGS!

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  2. I wish they sold that roux here because my cousin that is up her for college loves gumbo. She "imports" her own roux though ;). I need to look for those seasoning mixes, I have never seen those and I need to try some of those steerable flavors. xoxo ERIN

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  3. Can't write much, Lea, because I am running out to pack my cart full of Halo Top. 240 calories for the WHOLE pint! Today has begun with a miracle. Enjoy your weekend.

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  4. I had no idea you could buy gumbo base, I always make mine and because it's so much work I don't make it often. Will definitely look for this.

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  5. I'm making gumbo this weekend for the Alabama game, but I see that the temps are warming up for this weekend, too. Boo! I use the Black Magic mix. No roux, too!

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  6. I'm excited about making "pots" of stuff too! I stocked up on lots of ingredients at the store last night. There'll be lots of cookin and bakin in the Nine house in the coming weeks. Wishing you a wonderful weekend pretty lady!

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  7. I made gumbo this week and used chicken, shrimp and sausage and of course the "Cajun trinity" mix. But I use Tony Chachere's Roux Mix. It was delicious. Also made the Honey Oat Pie yesterday and it is great. Love Steamables and just the right amount for two people. Or one 😂!

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  8. We went to a New Orleans style dinner on Sunday and everything was so good. The gumbo especially! I've never made my own, but might see if I can get that base here and try it this winter. Have a great weekend!

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  9. Let me just say that it's a good thing I was already cooking dinner when this popped up on my computer (here in my kitchen). Your suggestions make me hungry!!

    The Tuscan-style chicken breasts especially got my attention!

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  10. Thanks for all your wonderful product reviews, Lea!!

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  11. I'm familiar with some of these but the one that jumped out was the ice cream. We were with friends last week and they were talking about it and how good it is. I'll have to check our Walmart.

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  12. Regarding kitchen secrets, I have a few favorites to share. However, if you're too busy to cook or need extra help, consider pay someone to write my case study. But back to food, have you tried the pre-seasoned chicken breasts at Walmart? They're a convenient and delicious option for grilling, stove cooking, or oven baking. Another handy item is Steamables, perfect for a low-calorie lunch or as a side dish. And if you're looking for guilt-free indulgence, Halo Top offers a variety of flavors in their low-calorie, high-protein ice cream. Lastly, I highly recommend using a base mix like the one I've used for years for easy gumbo making. It's a time-saving solution without compromising taste.

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  13. Lea, it's heartwarming to hear about your incredible journey as a devoted wife, loving mom, and cherished CiCi to four precious Grans. Your passion for family, friends, laughter, and the art of making memories shines through your narrative. As a narrative essay helper, I find your 44-year love story and commitment truly inspiring. Your roles as a shopper, picture-taking maniac, fudge maker, and organizational enthusiast add delightful layers to your Southern Belle charm. May your continued adventures be filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of being a Child of the King. Cheers to a life beautifully lived!

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So glad you stopped by and hope you enjoyed your visit. I love your comments and read each and every one of them and I always try to reply to them. Blessings to you this day!