Etouffee - Louisiana Style

I've had several folks to ask me for this Etouffee recipe  and decided to make a blog post out of it as their may be others of you that would enjoy having this ULTRA easy and quick recipe for some yummy Louisiana eating.

A sweet friend gave me this recipe about 20 years ago and I've never made Etouffee any other way.  She served it at a club meeting and we all thought that she had slaved over the stove for hours making this.  But, I'm telling you from start to finish it takes about 30 minutes.  The hardest part is opening all the cans of soup. ~no joke~  You can thank me later.........

Etoufee

from the kitchen of Lea Culp

3 cans Golden Mushroom Soup

1 can diced Rotel Tomatoes

1/2 pkg. frozen Seasoning Blend

1/2 stick of butter

1 lb. boiled shrimp or 1/2 lb shrimp and 1 lb. of crayfish

Saute' Seasoning Blend in butter and then add all other ingredients and simmer

for 30 minutes.  If you do not use a non-stick pan then be very careful as

this will stick and burn and that would be real aggravating!  It is served over rice or some folks prefer angel hair pasta. Suit yourself!

My personal notes:  This is easily doubled or tripled and freezes like a dream. I always triple it and I use 2 pounds of shrimp and 1 pound of crayfish.  You can suit yourself on that.  All this dish needs is a salad and french bread and dinner is ready.  It is such a crowd pleaser!  And, if you want to thin it some, just add Chicken Broth to get the consistency you desire. 

Now, go copy and paste the recipe over into Word, run it off, and you'll have this for future use.  

I thought this was a very timely quote for this recipe and the times we are living in.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's Wednesday and that means it's Hodgepodge time.  Enjoy!

1. Five years ago this month hubs and I relocated from New Jersey to the Palmetto State. What were you doing five years ago this month?

On August 14, 2015 we moved in to this house.  We had been in our former house for 35 years and had spent a couple of years working on the plans for this house.  It was a HUGE move but we have so enjoyed these past 5 years.  We were still unpacking boxes, and getting settled when we got a phone call from our daughter that she had just gone into labor and that we needed to head that way. Coleman was due the first week of Oct. but decided to make his entrance on August 31, 2015.  So, off we went and believe it or not, they had just moved from Texas to OKC (like 2 days before), and they had boxes on top of boxes and they needed us to start unpacking and get their house in some kind of order.  I look back on it and cannot believe we survived all of it but we all know that's just what parents do.  It makes me tired just recalling it. ~chuckle~

2. What was the last 9-5 job you worked? Tell us about it.
Well, we are really digging up memories today for sure.  My last job was a bank teller, a job I had until I "retired" to enter Motherhood 43 years ago this month.  And, in those days, it was an 8-2 job.  It was the greatest job on earth and I so enjoyed my banking days.  

3. Plead the fifth, high five, take five, it's five o'clock somewhere, or the big 5-0...which number five phrase relates to your life in some way currently? Tell us how.

I think I would have to say "plea the fifth" and that's rare but there have been a few times in the past months that I have had to "plea the fifith" when things turned political. Now, that's mentally, not verbally.  I just choose to keep my mouth shut.

4. During this season of spending so much time at home, what distractions get in the way of being your most productive? Or have you been extra productive since this whole thing started?

I would have to say I feel I have been very productive.  The first few weeks I cleaned out, straightened up and reorganized things that were already organized. ~no joke~  I have baked and baked and baked some more and I picked up crocheting again.  I did get distracted with the Netflix series, Anne With An E at the very first of the pandemic.  But, I'm much happier with busy hands than idle hands. 

5. Give us a list here of your top five anything.

These were the first 5 things to come to my mind and I'm sure our country's current state of affairs had a lot to do with that. 

5 Day Makers

1 - Start your day with a quiet time with the Lord. It's a difference maker!

2 - Do something nice for someone everyday.

3 - Always be kind.

4 - Always be encouraging.

5 - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We were in Oklahoma last week and while we were there we celebrated this little guy's 1st birthday.  His actual birthday is this Friday but since we were there Bridget decided to go ahead and celebrate.  He had no reservations at all about digging into his smash cake.  He is the happiest little guy and totally mesmerized by his two older brothers.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's another Wednesday and that means another Hodgepodge. Hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed answering.

1.  What's happening where you live in terms of schools opening? How do you feel about it?

Hummm......our local public schools are waiting until after Labor Day to even start, the district my DIL teaches in is doing an A/B schedule and the private school our Grangirls attend is going full steam ahead.  They are a smaller school and are making modifications to try and prevent any spread of the Covid.  It all remains to be seen and overall, it seems that the opening of schools is a most stressful situation for all concerned.

I really think that waiting to start school until after Labor Day is probably a very good idea. But since I did not get a vote in the matter, it doesn't appear that will be the case in most instances. 

2. What's something you still do 'old school'?

I still keep a wall calendar with all of mine and Hubby's activities and appointments on it.  I use my I-phone calendar for all the birthdays I remember.  But, I love looking at our wall calendar and seeing each week lined out for me and what is coming up.

3. August 4th is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. Will you/did you celebrate by baking a batch? Eating a batch? Nuts or no nuts? Homemade or store bought? Soft and chewy or do you prefer your cookie to snap when you bite into it?

Well, I had no idea but believe it or not, I baked Chocolate Chip cookies yesterday.  Remember, I LOVE to bake.  My oldest Grandson loves them and I told him I would bring him a batch when we go this Saturday.  But, he prefers them without nuts.  I mean, really, who doesn't like nuts?  But, I caved and made them without, just for him.  They are somewhere between chewy and snapping.  I do not like a cookie that snaps when you eat it.  First, that causes crumbs and I'm all about neat and for me, a softer cookie is the best. 

4. What are you starved for?

Normalcy!!!!  Will it ever return?  I don't know that our lives will ever know normal again.  We'll likely have to find a new normal and I was quite content with the old normal.  Shucks!!!!

5. Anything new and interesting on your August calendar? What is one thing you're looking forward to this month?

Nothing new and interesting but we'll be leaving on Saturday headed to Oklahoma to help out our daughter and her family.  She heads back to school on Monday but the older boys do not go for 2 more weeks and the baby's sitter doesn't start until the following week.  So, the ox is sort of in the ditch and we're going to rescue them.  And, I'll try to do some bulk cooking for her too.  If Poppa can handle the older two then I think I can handle the baby and when he naps, I'll do some cooking.  We shall see how this all goes.  I'll let you know. ~smile~ 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

I am astounded at the bareness of the shelves of all the grocery stores in our area.  I mean, the soup aisle is practically non-existent, no green beans and of course, no antibacterial cleaners or sprays. Our toilet paper and paper towel section has replenished somewhat. I suppose it is just a domino effect of the Covid.  And, Amazon Prime is not really Prime anymore, and, while that is truly a small item, they have sure spoiled us to that 2 day delivery and now it can take up to a week. But, it is what it is and we will "carry on." 

And, do as this says.........

July's Prime Purchases

Can you believe it's already the first Tuesday of August?  I mean, time is flying by although there have certainly been some days in the past few months that it seemed to be moving so s-l-o-w-l-y.  Regardless, it's time for me to share a few of my Prime Purchases from July.  I think these are tops and you may well want to order some yourself.

HALLMARK   BLANK  NOTES

These are the greatest little note cards, and in such happy colors.  There are 20 of each color and I separated them out to 5 sets of 4 of each color in each set, wrapped them in raffia and now they are ready to give as a gift.  I kept one of the sets for myself and have already used some of mine.  It's a great deal considering, should you desire, get 5 gifts out of it.

Amazon

COCOON COOLMAX BLANKET 

This is the most amazing lightweight blanket.  I  use mine in the car if I get chilled and I've even been known to use it at a restaurant to cover my legs if I'm wearing shorts. And, they are great to take on an airplane with you.  I keep it in my vehicle and it's small enough to put in my purse if need be.  They are a bit costly but they are well made and wash up great. I bought each of our Grans one of them and they LOVE them!

Amazon

HOTOUCH  PAJAMA'S 

They call these pajama's but I call them lounging clothes because that's what I use them for.  These are soooo cute and so well made and very reasonably priced.  I like to put these on after dinner.  They are so comfortable and the perfect clothing for evening at home wear. 

Amazon

NYLON  LIGHTWEIGHT SHOPPING BAGS

These are the cutest  They are a nylon shopping bag but I use mine for carrying all sorts of things. And again, they come 6 to a package for such a GREAT price and and what a great little "happie" gift to share with a friend.  What woman out there doesn't love "another" bag!!

Amazon

FACE  MASKS 

Okay, if we have to wear masks, then I say wear a cute mask!  These have such bling and are so cute and they come 3 to a package for a really good price.  They come in lots of colors so go check them out and order you a package.

Amazon

BOUNTIFUL  BOARDS BOOK 

Okay, ladies, if you have a Charcuterie Board then you need to order this book.  It tells you you all about them and gives you ideas for creating one for any occasion.  I have so enjoyed browsing through it and can't wait to use mine.

AMAZON

20 ounce Insulated Tumbler

These insulated tumblers are "all that and a bag of chips."  No joke!  They are the perfect size, not too big but not to small.  I use mine for coffee and it keeps it good and hot for a while.  If you are into cold drinks, it will keep them cold for an even longer time.  They come in some great colors and if you want to really "jazz" them up, then add a name or a monogram to them.  They also make a great gift to yourself or someone else. 

 Amazon

Set of 3 Resin Candlesticks 

These are the prettiest candlesticks!  I saw a spot in our house that I thought needed these.  They are made of a resin but they look like wood.  I'm using the LED candles on them and they are beautiful.  

AMAZON

And, there you have it.  I thought these items were some of the best and I hope you saw something that "spoke" to you as well.  

Now, go have yourself a good rest of the week!