Memes Vegetable Soup From Virginia Willis Food

GUMBO Z'HERBES

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add both kinds of sausage; cook until the sausage is cooked through and the fat has rendered, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat to a plate.
• Add the remaining 5 tablespoons oil to the pot. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until deep golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the onion, poblano, and celery and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the stock and stir to combine.
• Plop the ham hock in and bring to a boil over high heat. Return the chorizo and andouille to the pot. Add the collard greens, kale, spinach, cabbage, green onions, and thyme. (You may need to let the greens cook a bit between additions so they will all fit in the pot. Don't be tempted to add additional liquid too soon: It's easy to add but hard to remove, and you want the gumbo to be dense and like stew, not soup.) Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook until the greens are tender, about 45 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Add hot sauce to taste. Serve ladled over cooked white rice with hot sauce on the side.

MEME"S VEGETABLE SOUP FROM VIRGINIA WILLIS

Steps:

• Put 6 cups water, ham bone, thyme, and bay leaves in large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.
• Add tomatoes, puree, lima beans, onions, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low for 30 minutes, until beans are just tender.
• Then add remaining vegetables. Cook 30 minutes more till vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaves and thyme. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Enjoy with biscuits or cornbread.

SLOW COOKER BRUNSWICK STEW

Steps:

• To prepare in a slow cooker: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and celery and cook until the onions are soft and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Fill the tomato sauce can with water and add to the cooker, as well. Add the chicken, pork, corn, butterbeans and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the cooker on high and cook for 4 hours, or cook on low for 8 hours. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
• To prepare on the stove: Heat the oil in a large heavy-duty pot over medium heat. Add the onions and celery and cook until the onions are soft and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Fill the tomato sauce can with water and add to the pot, as well. Add the chicken, pork, corn, butterbeans and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook uncovered, stirring often, until the potatoes and butterbeans are tender and the mixture is thick, about 45 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.

MEME'S BRAISED CABBAGE FROM VIRGINIA WILLIS

Steps:

• In large skillet, heat bacon fat over medium-high heat until sizzling.add cabbage and saute until cabbage starts to wilt, 3 to 5 minutes. Add chicken stock and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
• Decrease heat to medium and simmer until cabbage is meltingly tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove sprig of thyme and taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

MEME'S CREAMED CORN FROM VIRGINIA WILLIS

Steps:

• Scrape kernels from the corn--should yield about 3 cups.
• In a large skillet, heat bacon fat over medium heat until sizzling. Add corn and season with salt and pepper. Cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Add butter and stir to combine. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.