P.J. Shaw's recipes

Cajun Red Beans & Rice (pj-style)

1 lb of dry red beans
2 stalks of chopped celery
1 large bay leaf
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 tsp. each of thyme, sage, sweet basil (more or less, to taste)
1/2 lb cubed ham (can add the ham bone too)
1/2 lb cubed pre-cooked smoked sausage
2 +/- cloves of garlic
2 tbs. of parsley
1+ large onion

Sort beans and wash. Soak overnight in cold water in large pot. Pour off water and rinse beans. Add all chopped veggies and spices and ham cubes to beans. Cover all with water and bring to boil. Turn heat low, cover pot and cook slowly for several hours until beans are tender. Stir occasionally (don't let beans stick to bottom of pot) and add water as needed to keep beans covered. Add salt and pepper to taste. (Occasionally a teaspoon of sugar is needed to round out the taste. This is for personal preference.)

When beans are tender, mash 1/2 +/- cup of them to thicken the bean broth. Serve beans hot over mounds of fluffy white rice.

Cajun Barbecue Sauce (pj-style)

Bacon drippings
1+ large onion, chopped
2+ stalks celery, chopped
1/2+ medium bell pepper
3 +/- large cloves of garlic, chopped & pressed
1/4 tsp. each of thyme, sage, sweet basil

Sauté chopped veggies in bacon drippings until VERY tender. Put sautéed veggies in large sauce pot. Add one large bottle of catsup, 2+ tsp. of sugar, juice from one lemon, 3+/- ounces of salad mustard, paprika, 2 tsp. steak sauce, 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 2- tbs. brown sugar, salt & pepper to taste. cover and cook slowly on low heat, bring to slow boil, stirring occasionally. (This will splatter during cooking.)

Should be dark, brick red in color and rich & tangy in taste. Excellent as a sauce. Great for making baked beans.

Hot Spiced Tea (or pj's Xmas punch)

1 large can of unsweetened pineapple juice
1 quart of cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup brown sugar
3 2" sticks of cinnamon
1 tbs. of whole cloves

Put the cloves in a cloth bag. Boil in 2 cups of water. Let cool. Pour clove water and juices into large container. Mix well. Pour into large kettle and bring to a boil. Serve hot in cups or mugs.

Golden Nugget Budget Soup

3 medium potatoes, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 cup whole kernel corn
1 tbs. margarine
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups milk
salt & pepper to taste

Combine vegetables & margarine in soup kettle. Add enough water to cover the mixture. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer slowly until tender. Stir in seasonings, soup & milk. Heat thoroughly on slow simmer.

Serve with butter toast squares or biscuits.

Banana Split Cake (pj-style)

1st layer:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 stick melted butter
1/4 cup sugar

Mix and press into a 13"x9" cake pan

2nd layer:

2 cups powdered sugar
2 egg whites
1 stick soft margarine

Beat 10 minutes and spread over first layer

3rd layer:

4 or 5 bananas

Slice and spread over second layer

4th layer:

1 large can of crushed pineapple

Drain and spread over third layer

5th layer:

1 large container of Cool Whip or other topping mix

Spread over fourth layer

6th layer:

1 cup chopped pecans
1 small jar maraschino cherries

Spread over fifth layer

Refrigerate at least ONE hour before serving.

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