Category: Manliness

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take a break… Seafood Gumbo is Best!

Aaaah Seafood Gumbo is Best!
Years ago, I started making my own Seafood Gumbo based on my intense love for this wonderful dish. I improvised quite a bit, departing from the inexpensive dish that it was originally intended to be and modified it into something a bit more healthy.

Now, I never leave a recipe alone, even my own, so I tried out a few modifications today that… well… were just wonderful. I substituted chopped King Crab meat for the canned variety I usually use ( but this was disappointing to me, so I will go back to canned as I think it makes the sauce a bit meatier… and I like that) and I added a pound of diced bacon into the blend, first using the left over fat as part of the roux! Oh, I made a few other changes… which were fun too.
On the crisp days we’ve been having in America… there is nothing that warms y’all better than a lunch full of Seafood Gumbo!  Here’s my original recipe!

Profitez de notre famille plats préférés! Cela me rappelle avec affection de mon temps en Louisiane. Laissez-vous prendre cette recette maison!

Roger Freberg

Laura teases me a bit about my use of the word ‘seafood’ as that implies fish… well, no, just chopped lobster, crab, diced clams and shrimp in this recipe… just the good stuff… oh yeah, this one has bacon!

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Building a Cookbook Library

Building any library is fun... it reflect who you are
As any cook will tell you, having a library of cookbooks makes fun reading!

One of the first cookbooks to buy — after you break out of the basic — is “Larousse Gastronomique”… the classic text of French Cuisine (cuisine means ‘kitchen’). Most people know ‘Larousse’ only for the cookbook, but the truth is that they prepare books on a variety of subjects, including an illustrated medical book.

The first American edition of “Larousse Gastronomique” appeared in 1962 and instantly became an American favorite… however, the first French edition was in 1938 which is also a fun read. The fact that it is in color adds to the charm and it’s over 1000 pages long!
So, where do you start your child? Personally, I have always presented the ‘Better Homes and Garden Cookbook’ as the first cookbook for a young person’s collection. It’s simple ( it actually tells a novice how to boil an egg!) and offers a few variations that are likely to be impressive to others… which is key.

Next, I encourage a young cook to add books of personal interest: books on cookies, candies, crab cakes, cheese, bread and more exotic and fun items like ‘Paella’. After all, the library should be built around what you like — and those around you — might enjoy!

other fun books include:

Great American Cookbook ( an easy cookbook utilizing manufacturer’s packaged products)

The Silver Spoon ( a great Italian Cookbook now printed in America)

New York Times cookbook

and any PTA cookbook can be fun and easy. (I even own one from Jo’berg , South Africa!… a favorite!)
Here’s a great listing of some of the great cookbooks! (The listing is far from complete. No mention of the St Francis Cookbook, Luchow’s, or any of Helen Corbitt’s… but still a great list!)

Remember, excellent cooking is to be shared and enjoyed with others… prepare something for someone you love!

Roger Freberg

Someday, buy the Epicurean by Charles Ranhofer … so many wonderful ideas! Careful! Many of the recipes are designed for groups of 20! But then… the eclairs are marvelous!

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looking at the world honestly

Have you ever noticed how many people lie to themselves?… sometimes it’s about little things… and sometimes they evolve into huge whoppers! This is not so much about telling the truth as it is about not facing up to what appears evident.

This is also not about avoiding optimism or losing hope… this is confronting what is… not about confronting what will or might be. It’s about learning from one’s mistakes, recognizing problems and avoiding delusion. Looking at the world honestly — in my humble opinion — allows us to fully enjoy what life and family have to offer. If we can look honestly, then it is easier to talk honestly and expect the same from others.

Let’s just say, I know someone (no one in my immediate family, thank goodness)… that continually re-frames things they have done, said or have written, once they realize that it makes them appear less than they wish to be. It is especially amusing when they dispute their own email… but that is another story.

Unfortunately, one cannot change a pattern of behavior that has become a habit… unless someone really wants to change. Most professionals — for example — know that rehab doesn’t work unless the person involved really wants to change, make new friends and find a new life… which they seldom wish to do.

So, why am I writing this?… because it’s hard to see folks make the same mistakes over and over… all the while being miserable and blaming others for their misfortune. Looking in the mirror is a tough call for anyone… I’ve been there myself.

“Looking at the world honestly” is tough… but it makes making good decisions easier.

Roger Freberg

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Hey, baby, What’s Your level?… Mage?

the addiction of World of Warcraft
I am not an on-line gamer… for me it’s not the chat that draws me… it’s solitary beauty of the slash and hack. My favorite is Halo 3… a Zen transcendental experience offering complete mastery of the self and the universe…. or did you already know that?

However, my daughter Karen has introduced me to a new game ( new to me… I think I bought an earlier version for my nephew) called by it’s crazies “W.O.W.” or ‘World of Warcraft.’ Karen had a recent post about her experiences which both amused and intrigued me. Kristin has already been acquainted to the game… fun when your daughters know such things.

So, here I am slave to World of Warcraft 3 and it’s expansion pack… but having fun!

Roger

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Happy Valentine’s Day to those in love or wish to be

our 38th valentine's day!
Well, there really isn’t a substitute for giving the Valentine in your life a dozen roses… red & white. Although, if you can cook, you can make something special… say, hors d’oeuvres vintage 1920 style… and a little bubbly and a warm fire.

Laura had a  nice blog on Relationships & Valentine’s Day … and I am told she has some new personality tests to give me when she returns home from the university! hmmmm

Happy Valentine’s Day… our 38th….

Roger Freberg

PS. the picture above is sometime after our 1st Valentine’s Day