Go Saints, Game-Day Gumbo, Fat Tuesday!

Just got back from the store to buy my Andouille sausage for gumbo and over the PA system the butcher was singing "When the Saints go marching in," and then he began announcing his Superbowl specials. Party time!!!!!!!! Go Saints!

I am making a big pot of chicken and sausage gumbo today and waiting for the game to begin. Many folks from here are going to Florida or holding Superbowl parties. Parties have already started in New Orleans for the traditional Mardi Gras celebrations as well. People think it's just that day. Heck no it's a two-week long drunk fest for some. Fat Tuesday is right around the corner too! Fat Tuesday is always the day before lent begins and it changes every year. This year its February 16th. I am planning to go to Old Mamou, for an old-fashioned Madri Gras this year.

I know I am in Coon Ass (nickname for Cajuns) country. I tried to buy wine and beer before 11 am on a Sunday. You can't buy wine or hard liquor, but you can buy beer. I guess beer is a staple down here and they ain't about to restrict that.

Wow, and what a Fat Tuesday it will be too if the Saints do win. Talk about an underdog team taking it to the top. The city deserves it, after all its been through with Hurricane Katrina. Did I say Go Saints!

I hope to make a trip down to The Big Easy after Mardi Gras season. I've been to New Orleans twice for Mardi Gras and some parts of the city are like Time Square on New Year's Eve. I was lucky enough to go with someone who had a friend with an apartment on the parade route. We could escape the madness at times and having a bathroom nearby was crucial.

Here's a gumbo recipe if you are so inclined:

• Huge pot
• 4 quarts of water
• 4 heaping tablespoons of brunette roux
• One large chicken cut up and seasoned (I use Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning)
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1 red pepper chopped
• 1 green pepper chopped
• 1 pound Andouille sausage (fried and cut up - add about 3/4 way through)
• 1/2 green onions chopped (add last)
• 1/2 cup parsley chopped (add last)

You start with the roux and pour in the water. Let that simmer for one half hour. Add all other ingredients except the last three listed. Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer for 1 to 2 hours. About and hour or so through the simmering phase, I fry the sausage and add it in. When it's about done the chicken starts to fall off bone. Some people leave chicken pieces on the bone. I take it out at this point and add the chicken deboned back in. One half hour before you serve, you add the green onions and parsley. Simmer for 3o minutes and serve over rice.

Enjoy the game and Go Saints!!!!!!!!!!!!