McAllen, Texas

It was 100 degrees here when I landed!


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Margarita Night

Lookin' for my lost shaker of salt...

Margarita night with T, Karen and Keith. The margarita is in the mug. I drank most of them, which I deserved since I cooked hot dogs and hamburgers.

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Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and file' gumbo

'Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma cher amio 

Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-o 

Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou 

I am of Irish persuasion -- not a drop of Cajun blood in me. We also live 'way north of Louisiana, where Andouille is all but impossible to find. 


But I don't care. This evening I poled my pirogue down to the Barbecue Patio and whipped up a batch of Poorman's Jambalaya.


When you're poor you have to improvise: Leftover ham instead of shrimp, and pork sausage instead of Andouille. But I did it, with inspiration from Paul Prudhomme (who I resemble somewhat) and old Hank Williams.

The result was spectacular. Even T had a second helping!

Ham, sausage and a little butter

The Holy Trinity: Onions, bell peppers, celery.
Throw in a jalapeno for lagniappe!

Secret spice mix and chicken broth.
No tomatoes!!!

A handful of rice -- simmer for a while and enjoy...

It doesn't get any better! I'll make a batch for Lindsay as soon as she gets home!

The lyrics and history of Hank's song is here.