Jambalaya

Had a party last night and provided the spread. Main dish was Jambalaya. I made it up and it gets close to what I've been eating around here--and I added some of my own improvements (which certain people have a difficult time getting used to).

5 pound Pork Butt and smoked chicken sausage (sausage can be whatever you want as long its smoked for the smokey flavor--if you season this with a little tobacco, you will not get the same effect, but support our right to smoke by smoking a cigar while cooking and we'll call it a deal).

9-10 yellow onions
3-4 heads garlic
4 bell peppers
one pack celery
Creole/Cajun Spice (or thyme, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, oregano, pepper, salt, onion powder)
dried chile pepper
6 cans beef stock
white wine (optional)
white mushrooms.
bay leaf
6 cups long grain white rice


Slice pork, drench in creole/cajun spice and brown in big pot with little Olive Oil. Make sure to brown thoroughly, don't crowd the pan and keep liquid to a minimum. If you get brown spots in bottom of pan, that's good and keep scraping them up. After pork's browned, put sausage into pan and brown that.

By now you've got the right flavor's in the pan. Add back the pork, and about 8 sliced onions. Cook on medium high stirring frequently for 15-25 minutes until onions have released their liquid. Add sausage. Stir. Add more spice, salt, pepper. Stir. Then add about 10 crushed garlic cloves, 3 bell peppers, 6-10 ribs of celery. Stir in and let cook a little. Add in 6 cans beef stock (so that meat is just covered. Bay leaf it, add de-veined and de-seeded chile peppers (2-3), bring to boil, reduce and simmer. Also add in one glug of white wine, some more creole spice, and a few dashes of tobasco.

You can cook this for a while, but after 1.5-2 hours, add another chopped onion and chopped pepper, and about 5 - 10 more crushed cloves garlic.

Here's the tricky part that these locals arent too fond of. Slice mushrooms in half and sautee in half butter half olive oil until browned. Add salt and pepper and 5 cloves chopped garlic. Cook on medium low covered for about 10 minutes while stirring frequently. Then throw in sage, thyme and oregano spices and cook another 5 minutes. Add this to Jambalaya pot after about 2.5-3 hours.

At 3 hours, it should be mostly done. Check spices, etc. If tastes bland, add more garlic, spices, and possibly a bouillon cube.

Now the rice. It will need at least 5-6 cups of rice. Bring heat down to low, add rice and cover pot completely. Do not lift cover for at least 1 hour (possibly more--this is a gamble and while I have gotten it perfect on several occasions, last night's rice was a little crunchy).

Hope you enjoy it. Good for parties--and everything can be cut in half easily--Usually I only make a small pot of this with cheap pork shoulder blades or even ribs--works perfect and gets better as a leftover.

Dinner

I do not know exactly why, but I feel compelled to post recipes. I would hope that if anyone actually reads this damn things, you try one out and tell me how it was.

Tonights is cheap steak rounds from Walmart. There's a guy on NYTIMES online, Mark Bittman, who calls himself the minimalist; has good recipes. I guess that would make me the cheapest. Not always. Tonight was all about cheap--so, sale steaks, a handful of dried chipotle peppers in a solitary bin, mushrooms (in season), garlic. Since I grow my own spices, I use what I have--tonight was sage, rosemary and thyme. Seasoned steaks with seasonings, salt pepper, 4 cloves chopped garlic, and a douse of olive oil--tossed. Then heated oil in pan--added 4 cloves chopped garlic and steaks at same time. Let brown on one side, flip. Let brown, add peppers and a few sliced mushrooms. Let cook--after 4 minutes, added a glug of left-over red wine. Let cook till steaks were done. (Added 3 squirts tobasco somewhere in there). Took out steaks--reduced wine and added a spoonful of ancien mustard. Let thicken and cook a little more, then topped steaks with Mushrooms sauce. Perfect. Dipped with day old Ciabatta bread from Pouparts--a mainstay.

And drinking gimlets. Life couldnt be better, during certain moments.

Yet more proof of Obama's Self-Centered Solipsism

Just read in NY Times this morning an article about what Bush said (or will say--this is not clear from NY Times) at Israel's Parliament. Bush stated (or will state--dates are all screwy here):

Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along.

We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: “Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.” We have an obligation to call this what it is – the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history.

Some people suggest that if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away. This is a tired argument that buys into the propaganda of our enemies, and America rejects it utterly. Israel’s population may be just over 7 million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because America stands with you.

America stands with you in breaking up terrorist networks and denying the extremists sanctuary. And America stands with you in firmly opposing Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions. Permitting the world’s leading sponsor of terror to possess the world’s deadliest weapon would be an unforgivable betrayal of future generations. For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

Now, this proves to you--not that any intelligent and rational person needed the proof--how much Obama cares about himself and only himself. Obama answered this defensively, believing that because he is so absolutely special, because the secular left has anointed him their new Saviour, that Bush must have been referring to him. Obama answered:

It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence to launch a false political attack. It is time to turn the page on eight years of policies that have strengthened Iran and failed to secure America or our ally Israel. Instead of tough talk and no action, we need to do what Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan did and use all elements of American power - including tough, principled, and direct diplomacy - to pressure countries like Iran and Syria. George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists, and the President’s extraordinary politicization of foreign policy and the politics of fear do nothing to secure the American people or our stalwart ally Israel.

This is all published at NY Times online right now.

Aside from the fact that Obama did say he would "talk" before acting with Iran (a complete contradiction here--notice his statements in November 2007), I think there is only one thing to say here--other than something about Obama's Solipsism and why exactly he attracts mostly college aged kids who want to live without consequences. I have one name--Jimmy Carter. In what capacity, other than in his utter selfishness, does Obama actually think he is the target of Bush's criticisms. Isn't Jimmy Carter the one toting around talking to Terrorists? Isn't Jimmy Carter the one that fits the description of Bush's imaginary "talker"?

Need I say more? I think this is yet another example of Barry Obama's solipsistic live-without-consequences world view. After he said he didn't want his kids "punished with a baby" I knew it was only a matter of time before he started to look more like one of those college professors driving a hybrid (I got nothing wrong with hybrids--just don't make it a political statement) carrying around some Marxist pamphlet.

A few things to say tonight over my baked chicken

Global Warming my ass. That's about all I have to say about this new fad (and that's all this has been--a fad!) that people are so caught up with. One side sees it as absolute truth and the other doesnt have the fucking balls to stand up to this blatant bullshit from a bunch of people that will create policies to collect more of our earned money. We are entering the little ice-age; mankind has always experienced climate change--long before the fucking trains, planes, and automobiles (go read real non-partisan scientists).


The real problem about this is that all of a sudden people care about what they do--or care about what they look like they do--now they accept Global Warming like a commandment to Moses, and they can excuse all the decades they didnt give a shit (and still don't really give a shit, they only want to look trendy and shop at Whole Foods). The truth is, real people who have always loved the earth and all of God's creation, are absolutely insulted that politicians are now trying to tell us to love the earth. Real people--might I say--BITTER PEOPLE--Yes I cling to my fucking guns, but not cause I'm bitter, just cause I know how some people will allow certain people into this country, certain policies, that I may need to protect myself and family against--and I go to Church because I believe--nothing bitter about it...but, to return--real people who have always loved eating their own vegetables, who understand the benefits of chemicals to kill off pests--really, when was the last time you tried to grow large amounts of vegetables and fruits that would be your family's sustenance for the entire year without chemicals and been successful. Sorry, difficult and hard to do and probably possible on small scales at one point or another in this lifetime. Biological powders and repellents, organic solutions are welcomed by me, as long as I still get real tomatoes, potatoes, beans, etc. and not a bunch of whiteflies, blackflies, lettuce fleas, bean bugs and wilted tomato virus.

But to return to my main point--all of a sudden people are trying to tell us that our individual actions will harm the earth and make the earth worse for the children. I completely agree and have always learned and tried to live according to this principle--that I must take personal responsibility for my individual actions. But that still makes US responsible for what we do (not the Government, not some piece of legislation, not your fucking mama--no offense to your mother...), and if we act according to incomplete studies, politicized science, AlGore bullshit spoonfed backwards through a toilet-bowl, if we do not take into account the fact that wrong actions may also have a bad effect on the world, then we havent learned a thing--we have gone ahead and swallowed the same bologna propaganda that Communists have been trying to feed us for the last century (Go read a book by Jonah Goldberg titled Liberal Fascism...good book to learn a thing or two); that our individual freedoms are threatened is the real problem here, and they'll take it away one by one until there is nothing left but to get in line for our weekly bag of rice.

This is the reason why I see green as the new red, and I always have, ever since some pimping politician tried to feed me bullshit about saving the environment. I always tried to save my environment--that's why I call my self a Conservative--I wish to conserve. Simple as that.

Another thing I wish to conserve is tobacco use. Heard the new one--legislation to ban Clove Cigarettes. Why? Some people want to blame big tobacco like Phillip Morris--I know of some of Phillip Morris' people--I got nothing bad to say. The real problem, again, is people who want to outlaw smoking entirely. If you look at it systematically, you can see that after the big tobacco settlements, less and less tobacco ended up on the shelves in stores. States legislated the "No Smoking" sections, then outlawed it indoors completely. Next you were ticketed for smoking with a minor under a certain weight in the car. Who is to say whether I can smoke with my own kid in the car or not? Why would we give government the ability to prohibit us to make that choice? Doesnt anyone see the irrationality in this or the likeness to Prohibition of Alcohol that brought about the mob.

I happen to like an occasional Clove Cigarette.

And why smoking; why not tofu. I hate fucking tofu. I hate vegetarians that have to go jizz about their vegetarianism every goddamn second. If someone has to jizz about their own shit all the time, then they are probably helplessly seeking for the same thing we all are and just unwilling to admit they don't have a fucking clue. And, did you hear the latest--Bean curd--SOY BEANS (yes, all you soy milk drinkers, listen up)--SOY BEANS, high in estrogen, are known to severely altar the body's chemistry. What I'm saying here, at least what the studies are showing, is that high quantities of soy among males and females pregnant with males lead to higher rates of homosexuality. So, if you want to keep your masculinity in tact--or, ladies, if you naturally (and this is about Nature) want to have a real man in your life, leave out the bean curd tofu-shit and soy milk. This is scary.


oh--a new recipe, almost forgot.

Baked Chicken a la Provence

Whole Chicken Fryer, cut up into convenient pieces. 3 Shallots and 6 garlic cloves chopped into bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, sage, thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary. Toss chicken in same bowl until thoroughly coated in seasonings. Place into large baking pan skin side up. Then Chop tomatoes and mushrooms, toss in same bowl with seasonings left over--place into, over, between, and under chicken. Let loose a few glugs of red wine, drizzle melted butter over pieces of chicken (make sure chicken skins are visible for browning). Salt again and pepper, bake 350-400 for 45min - 1 hour. Serve.

What I am eating

All these bloggers think what they do every fucking second of the day matters--as if their damn thoughts about the war in Iraq or going fucking green really matter...my grandmother was green before it became the new red. Then some people had to go politicize gardening.

Anyway, so, I've decided to write about what I'm eating tonight for dinner--figure it's a hell of a lot more interesting than whatever the hell some people are writing this moment...and you might learn some new recipes.

Saucisson. This is a D'Artagnan Saucisson French style. It is not as dry as most good saucisson, but has more flavor than any of the damn italian sausages I used to get up in New York. It goes good with a new goat cheese I found from St-Astier, France--Pico Picandine. It comes in a small box like round container--as all good goat cheeses, and it has a nice aged rind (I hate goddamn American impressionist goat-cheeses. What the hell is that soft cream cheesey shit anyway!).

Good combination, but I don't eat the cheese with the sausage much. I usually save the cheese for afterwards or with the terrine--a good terrine de campagne from Le Petit Cochon--man, that's good, and with their cornichon--magnifique!

Then there is the bread. Of course, living where I live, there is only one choice--Poupart's Bakery in Lafayette, LA. I had to go to an alternative bakery today and I am experiencing the bland result. So life goes and money that cannot drive us to the good bakery. If we could only drive to France to get real bread.

I have sauteed some Crimini mushrooms as well. Halved mushrooms, heated half olive oil half butter in pan, then added after butter foam subsided--let brown for few minutes. Then added salt pepper, let liquid seep out of mushrooms--that's my favorite part and reminds me most of how a poet writes a poem--then added 6 cloves chopped garlic. Cooked on reduced heat covered for a few minutes. Added combination of thyme, sage, oregano from my own garden, cooked a little more and voila.

Then, finally, roasted red peppers--the italian in me. Roasted, peeled, added 3 cloves sliced garlic, good olive oil, freshly chopped basil and salt. Tossed, cooled, served. Sometimes I am amazed how with so little money a man can eat so well.

That's what's for dinner--with large goblets of wine. Bought three bottles today and might finish two by tonight (one was extra large bottle and lots of writing to get done). But there is always Garlic--lots. A hell of a lot more than you think you eat. So, don't start comparing. That's at least one whole head for just dinner--and we don't count the half-a-head for lunch or the two raw cloves I'll eat with the cheese for dessert--and anything else between just cause I hate people who hate my garlic nose!

I don't know what my meal is supposed to signify, but if I were a literary critic, I might say something politically correct about the fucking french and italian with a little added comment on the Louisiane. Of course, nobody from any of these regions, cultures, really gives a shit, so, let's just eat and be merry.

Welcome to the Bent Catholic

Welcome. I don't know what to say. I think a lot of these blogs out here were created simply because someone had something to say and they needed a place to say it. Sure. Good for them. I have a lot to say too, so I guess it's my privilege to say it damn it!

This is not a blog for ordinary Catholics, so if you can't stand drinking large amounts of Kentucky bourbon, gin, sometimes rum, and lots of cheaply bought red wine, smoking cigars, pipes, cigarettes, hell, smoke you're stinkin' pen for all I care, or lots of pissing people off, then don't read it. I guess I have that right still, even if the others are under surveillance. Hell, this isn't even a blog for Catholics, and I would never run as a Catholic. It just happens to be a name, and I don't stand for anything. I just write and think and write, so either you read it or you don't.

Welcome.


[nobody in the picture above represents the author of this site...but that is a cross if I'm not mistaken]