Fat Tuesday

Did you have a feast today?? If you did not then maybe you were not aware that today was the time to party it up and eat, eat, eat. Today is fat Tuesday, the day directly before Ash Wednesday. In many places it is known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Day. A day set aside to let people eat all they want, indulge in anything that they want and get ready for the next day. As Ash Wednesday begins a long fast for Christians as they give up something special that they enjoy. But today, today Fat Tuesday was and is a day to celebrate and enjoy the favorite foods or snacks that will be given up for Lenten season.

New Orleans is famous for celebrating Fat Tuesday. Bourbon Street celebrates the day with festivities and parades with the best part being food and drink.  One dish you may find there is Gumbo. Try our Gumbo and see what you think

2 lb shrimp, shelled, deveined, cooked
2 Tablespoons flour
3 Tablespoons butter
1 lb okra, sliced
1 onion, minced
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 cups stewed tomatoes
2 quarts water
1 teaspoon salt
1 can oysters, with liquid
1 package frozen crab meat
1/4 teaspoon tobasco sauce
1 teaspoon worchestershire sauce
2 cups rice, cooked

In a large pot, combine butter, onion, green pepper and flour.
Begin to cook.
Add stewed tomatoes, and bring to near a boil.
Add water and salt.
Simmer for 20 minutes.
Add shrimp and oysters.
Continue to simmer for 15 more minutes.
Add tobasco, worshestershire and crab meat.
Simmer another 15 minutes.
Serve hot over cooked rice.

Recipe Tip: Don't hesitate to experiment. Try  including additional seafoods, as available.