Top Notch Monday!!!

Monday was a perfect, prefect fall day, weather-wise. It was sunny, but cool and came with a nice, light breeze. So, both my walks were outside and delightful.

I had to go to Laurel Park Place Mall, so I stopped into the Big Boy and got the veal parmesan for lunch.

After work, I treated Caley, changed clothes (long pants this time) and started warming the red beans and rice. Then I started assembling the trash for tomorrow.

I hauled out the wood from the garage shelf I’d demoed. I cleaned out the fridge and threw away anything out of date or suspicious looking. I even went through my magazine rack! It took almost 2 hours.

All the while, I occasionally stirred my dinner. Now, one of the instructions was to use a wooden spoon to mash about half of the mixture against the side of the pot. I tried that, but the sausage and ham made it difficult. Likewise, the sausage and ham prevented me from using the stick blender. So, I got out the old potato masher and got ‘er done!

I started a pot of white rice at 7:00. The red bean mixture was creamy and the beans were soft and it was soupy but not watery (as instructed). So, when the rice was ready, I plated my dish.

Damn! Should have wiped the edge of that bowl and could have garnished it with fresh herbs or maybe thin-sliced scallions, but I was hungry!!!

That was my first experience with new Orleans-Style Red Bean and Rice and, though I had taste-tested the broth repeatedly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But wow!

All the flavors blended together to make a truly excellent dish. Thank you, Emeril! I figured if anyone would be spot-on with New Orleans dishes it would be him.

After I ate about 3/4 of the bowl, I sprinkled some Frank’s Red Hot sauce on top and kicked it up another notch!

I let the Dutch oven sit and cool and wandered in to check the TV. I opted for reading instead. Finally stuck the Dutch oven in the fridge. I’ll put the rest (and there is lots left) in freezer containers tomorrow. Then I went to bed.