Tag: dinner inspiration

Shrimp and Grits

Easter Brunch has been a tradition I started for my family a few years ago. Because Easter is my favorite holiday I have a special dish I prepare usually only at this time of year: Shrimp and Grits. This dish is so good and so easy to make! If you’re invited to my house for brunch you better get there early or you WILL miss out! Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 small to medium onion finely diced
  • 1-2 peppers diced, you can use all one color or a combination I used green and red
  • 1-2 tbsp of minced garlic (I used a paste found at Aldi)
  • 4 slices of bacon diced
  • 2 pounds fresh raw shrimp, peeled & deveined
  • 1-2 tbsp of olive oil
  • 2-3 tbsp of butter
  • 2-3 tbsp of flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2-3 tbsp tomato paste
  • Seasonings: Tony’s creole seasoning, pepper, cayenne (optional), garlic and onion powder, Italian seasoning & old bay

Directions: Season shrimp. Add bacon to sauté pan on medium heat. Cook bacon til crispy, remove from pan to paper towel. Reserve about 1-2 tbsp of bacon grease. Turn heat of to medium high and add seasoned shrimp. Cook about 1-2 minutes on each side until pink. Remove to paper towel with bacon. Add tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter then onions and peppers. Sauté til soft. Add garlic and cook for and additional minute. Add another 2 tbsp of olive oil and then flour. Cook for 3-5 minutes, you do not want raw flour! After flour has been absorbed in the veggies, slowly whisk in chicken broth. A gravy should start forming. You can add more chicken broth or water depending on how thick you want your gravy. Stir tomato paste and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes and then add back in shrimp and bacon. Turn heat to medium low. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes and I taste for seasoning. I add another tbsp of butter to make my gravy creamy and smooth. Serve over grits (see my reels on Instagram for how I make my grits). Enjoy!

This recipe goes fast and is best served immediately so make sure you have your grits ready. If you do create this recipe please be sure to tag me @severalpeoplesmama. I’d love to see it and share!

Love Ricki

Stuffed Salmon with Cajun Shrimp Sauce

If you know anything about me and my family we are not big salmon eaters (we prefer trout) but since I have been intentionally shopping on a budget and salmon was on sale I decided to purchase it instead of our regular which is trout. I wanted to try a new recipe with it and went searching the internet and settled on making a stuffed salmon. A lot of the recipes I found included crab or shrimp in the stuffing and that’s something I didn’t want to make due to a shellfish allergy. Sometimes recipes have to be adapted to fit your family’s dietary needs. I decided to instead make a simple stuffing and make a sauce to include shrimp (you can add crab to it as well) to pour over top if you want to. And believe me you’ll want to. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients for the Stuffed Salmon:

  • Salmon
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 stick of butter cut in tsp slices
  • 1 block of cream cheese
  • 4–5 fresh garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 handful of fresh spinach
  • 1/2 juice of lemon and 1 whole lemon sliced
  • 1-2 sun dried tomatoes chopped
  • Seasonings: I used Tony’s, ranch dry mix, garlic salt, onion powder, Trader Joe’s 21 seasoning salute

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Start by adding olive oil and a tsp of butter to a sauté pan on medium high heat. Add spinach, then a tsp of minced garlic and the sun dried tomatoes. Mushrooms would be great but I didn’t have any. Once spinach is wilted turn off heat and add mixture to a bowl with softened cream cheese. Mix and then add seasonings and lemon juice. Once mixed throughly set aside and prepare salmon. I like color on my food so I decided to cut a slit for the stuffing and then season my salmon and sear the top in a pan on medium heat with 1 tsp of olive oil first. Then I set on a sheet pan and added the stuffing to the salmon (if you have any stuffing left over just set aside for now). I added lemon juice, lemon slices and butter to the top and placed in the oven to bake for 20 minutes. While baking I made the sauce.

Ingredients for sauce:

  • 1-2 tbsp of butter
  • 1/3 cup of Mirepoix mix (onions, celery and green pepper)
  • 1-2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 2 tsp of Tony Cachere’s dry roux mix
  • Shrimp
  • 1-2 cups of heavy whipping cream
  • Juice from half a lemon
  • Seasoning (I used what I used on the salmon)

Directions for Sauce:

Melt butter on medium heat in sauce pan and add mirepoix mix. Cook until softened and add garlic then dry roux mix. Mix thoroughly, add more butter if needed. Then mix in leftover stuffing. Season shrimp and add to pan. Once shrimp is cooked whisk in heavy whipping cream. Simmer for about 1-2 minutes and then reduce heat. Taste for seasoning and add if needed. Remove salmon and spoon sauce over top.

I served this over zucchini noodles for a low carb option but it would be great with a salad, pasta or whatever side you enjoy. Since this meal had a lot of steps I recorded a reels video to walk you thru. Just check my Instagram @severalpeoplesmama. Save and share the video and please tag me if you make it!

Love Ricki

Cheater Gumbo

It’s the holiday season and in the south that means we make gumbo! Now I am not here to debate what is right or wrong when making gumbo. I know there are some gumbo snobs but I truly believe that how you make your gumbo is a personal preference. It’s however you & the people you love like it! My mother made gumbo routinely growing up but it was not considered authentic because it was not made of a roux even though we still loved it. Roux’s can be intimidating AF!!! Ask me how I know! A roux is when you mix an oil or butter with flour over heat until a certain color and consistency is achieved. A roux can be as light as peanut butter or as dark as chocolate! The tricky part is getting it to the color you desire and NOT burning it! This takes time and patience which I don’t always have. After burning my roux several times I almost gave up making a more authentic gumbo until I discovered you can purchase a already pre made roux or mix in your local grocery store!!! And even though now I can successfully make a roux it is not something I need to know how or want to take the time to do. There are many rouxs in the store to choose from. The ones I have tried it the Tony Cachere’s mix (this is the first one I tried and use often) and a pre made one in a jar made by Kary’s. I prefer the Tony’s because I like that I am actually cooking it but sometimes it’s not the easiest to find so I will use the Kary’s in a pinch. So now that we have discussed how I cheat when making gumbo, let’s make some!

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 pounds of chicken (I prefer a mix of boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs with drumsticks. This allows me to have the flavor that dark meat brings without too much fat, but you can use whatever you prefer. Even a whole chicken will work)
  • 2-3 cups of onions, green bell peppers and celery chopped (this is referred to as the holy trinity of Cajun/creole cooking. I use more onions and bell peppers than celery because that’s what my family prefers. You also can use a shortcut and purchase Mirepoix mix which can be found in your frozen vegetables section of the freezer)
  • 1-2 containers of Tony’s Roux mix (depending on how much gumbo you’re making)
  • 1-2 sticks of butter
  • 1-2 pks of frozen okra
  • 1-2 lbs of sausage sliced (the traditional sausage is Andouille, I used Zummos)
  • 10-12 cups of water (you can use a combo of chicken broth but watch for the salt!)
  • 3-4 pounds of peeled, deveined shrimp
  • 3-4 pounds of crab (we used snow crab because that’s our preference but the traditional crab to use is blue crab. You can also just add crab meat)
  • Various seasoning- I used Tony’s seasoning salt, 2 chicken bouillon cubes, onion and garlic powder, old bay, & gumbo file’)
  • 1 tbsp of oil (your choice)

Directions:

I start my gumbo by heating my pot on medium high heat, adding the tablespoon of oil and the sausage. Again I’m trying to avoid having to skim fat off the top of my gumbo so that is why I use this method plus in my opinion it adds flavor. Once my sausage is cooked I remove to a paper towel and then drain all but about a teaspoon of fat. Turn stove to medium heat and then add your stick of butter and then your veggies. Cook veggies til softened. While veggies are cooking prepare Roux mix according to directions. I prepare mine in a separate bowl and then add to my veggies. This allows it to cook with my veggies for more flavor. You will need to make sure you cook your roux for about 5 minutes or so until no longer lumpy. I also taste mine to make sure there is no flour taste. It won’t taste like much but it should NOT taste like raw flour! Also make sure you DO NOT leave the pot while doing this! At this point you can add more roux depending on how thick you like your gumbo to end up. Once your roux and veggies have cooked enough add your water, chicken, sausage and seasonings (except gumbo file’) and bring to a boil on medium high heat. You will need to check back to stir occasionally so nothing is burnt at the bottom of your pot. Once boiling turn stove to medium heat and cook for about an hour or until chicken is tender. You can remove the chicken and bones and skin and shred and add back in. I usually shred it in the pot and remove any bones but most of the time the chicken will start falling apart on it’s own. Add your frozen okra and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes. At this point you can taste for any more seasoning and add if needed. You now have prepared chicken and sausage gumbo! But we love to add seafood! I add my crab and cook for 10-15 more minutes and then my shrimp for another 10 minutes. Once the shrimp are pink you are through and you have made an easy and delicious gumbo!

I serve my gumbo over rice with semi-homemade garlic bread. I shared a quick video on how I make Cheater gumbo and the garlic bread on Instagram so make sure you are following me @severalpeoplesmama and make sure you tag me if you try this. I also want to thank everyone that has followed me, reposted or shared my content & recipes and tried them! It is my hope that I have made feeding you and/or your family easier! I also pray that everyone is healthy and safe leading into this new year and you are blessed with your heart’s desires! Please look out for so much MORE coming from me in 2021! Happy New Year!!!

Love Ricki

Come cook with me on IG Live – Steak Bites and Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Hi y’all! Tomorrow December 13th, 2020 I will be hosting another free cooking class on Instagram Live and we will be making another easy delicious meal! I will go live at 2:30 pm CST and below if the recipes for what we’ll be making! Hope to see y’all there for some fun!!!

Ingredients for Steak Bites:

2-3 boneless steaks (I prefer Ribeye) – cut into 1 to 1 ½ inch cubes
2-3 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 onion sliced into half moons
1 ½ cups of sliced mushrooms
Steak Marinade – Use any from your local grocery store, however if you use A-1 steak sauce use sparingly as it can be
salty
Seasonings – You can use any steak seasonings you prefer, I used Tony’s Creole Seasoning, garlic and onion powder, garlic and herb seasoning and Montreal Steak seasoning


Ingredients for mashed potatoes


4-5 Russet Potatoes
1 block of cream cheese at room temperature
Garlic powder, Salt, Dry ranch dressing mix, Pepper
½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1 stick of butter
½ cup of heavy whipping cream (can also use half & half or milk)

Directions:

For Steak Bites: Take cubed steak and season
with preferred seasonings and add steak marinade to a gallon zip loc bag. Refrigerate at least one hour. Set out on counter at least one hour prior to cooking. Heat olive oil
and butter in skillet or pan with non-stick coating on medium heat. Once pan is hot add onions and mushrooms and sauté until semi soft and remove from pan. Turn heat to medium high and add steak. Sear steak bites on both sides
and then turn heat back to medium low and add back onions and mushrooms. Let simmer in pan for about 5 more minutes and then turn off pan but do not remove from burner.

For Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Instant Pot):
Add potatoes to the instant pot and fill with enough water to cover. Set on manual for 12 minutes and don’t forget to set vent to sealing. Once done perform quick release (set vent to venting to release steam). Open instant pot and drain water from potatoes. Can place back in Instant Pot (make sure it is
turned off or it will keep cooking! Ask me how I know!) and then add cream cheese, butter, seasonings and mash. Add grated parmesan cheese and mix well. Add heavy whipping
cream gradually depending on how thick and creamy you desire.

Love Ricki

Birria Queso Tacos Y Consommé in the Instant Pot!

Birria Tacos on Taco Tuesday! I think I timed this post perfectly. Except it’s the week of Thanksgiving. And while I do want you to make these tacos (like for real, they slap as those several people say) they are work and I wouldn’t suggest you make them this week. But definitely next week! So let’s make Birria Tacos!!!

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium size beef Chuck roast and 2 beef shanks. Make sure you at least get the beef shanks with the bone. That helps with flavor. This was about 3 lbs of meat total.
  • 6-8 dried chilies (I used Ancho and Guajillo, I couldn’t find Pasillo but I would use that as well.
  • 1-2 Chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
  • 1 clove crushed
  • 3 tbsp of Mexican Oregano
  • 3-4 bay leaves
  • 1 pinch of ground cinnamon
  • 1-2 tsp of onion and garlic powder
  • 2 tsp of seasoning salt (I used Tony’s)
  • 2 tsp of all purpose seasoning
  • 1-2 tsp of black pepper
  • 3-4 tbsp of beef bouillon (powder form)
  • 2-3 cups of beef broth
  • 1-2 cups of water
  • 1 large carrot, cleaned and chopped in quarters
  • 1 block of mozzarella cheese, shredded (don’t use the pre shredded stuff)
  • 2 medium size white onions chopped
  • 6-7 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bunch of cilantro chopped
  • 1-2 limes cut in wedges (optional)
  • 1-2 tbsp of vegetable or olive oil
  • Corn tortillas

Directions:

Start by seasoning your roast and beef shanks with seasoning salt, garlic and onion powder, beef bouillon & all purpose seasoning. Set aside. Next cut open your chilies and remove seeds and stems. Place in a pot with enough water to cover and boil. After boiling for about 5 mins, turn off heat and let chilies steep in water for about 20 mins. While chilies are steeping set your pressure cooker on the sauté function. Add oil and sear your beef. Make sure to wear one at a time, you want brown not for the meat to steam. After searing turn off and return all the meat to the pressure cooker.

Remove chilies from water and add to a blender. Add 1-2 Chipotle chilies and 1 cup of water. Blend until it forms a paste/liquid. Strain over meat in pressure cooker with a mesh strainer so none of the skins that may have not blended well get added. To pressure cooker also add minced garlic, 1 onion chopped, more beef bouillon (I used about a tablespoon), carrots, oregano, pepper, bay leaves, clove, cinnamon, beef broth and enough water to cover the meat. Set pressure cooker on high pressure for 35 minutes. Once done let it naturally release which will take about another hour. Once all pressure has released, open the lid and you should have tender meat. Remove meat and shred in a boil. Taste your beef and broth and add additional seasoning if necessary. Skim fat from broth and add to a separate bowl.

To make the tacos dip the corn tortilla in the skimmed fat and add to a skillet on medium heat. Fry the tortilla for about 1-2 mins in the pan. Then add meat, cheese, onions and cilantro to one side of the tortilla and fold over. Once cheese is melted, flip taco and add more skimmed fat, these should be wet tacos. Add to a plate and then repeat with other tortillas. You can add more onions and cilantro if you like. Pour broth in a bowl and add onions and cilantro. Dip taco in broth and enjoy!

Because there were so many steps I made a video to accompany this post on Instagram. Make sure you are following me @severalpeoplesmama to watch the video on IGTV! If you make this please tag me, I love to see how you make it!

Love Ricki