On January 1st of this year, I married a man from Louisiana. A southern man. I am still learning about southern traditions, and this Thanksgiving week-end, I experienced a few new ones. I guess I’ll start with the end, namely LSU beating Arkansas. My husband is a long-time LSU fan, as was his father, and his father’s father before that. So I have the privilege of going to Tiger Stadium. I have learned about the Bowls. I have learned about the rules that separate college football from the NFL. And little by little, I have learned to love Saturdays during football season almost as much as I love Sundays. So what, you say? Nothing Louisiana-specific about college football. Perhaps. Please take a look at the picture below.
This is post-game tailgating. An entire pig was cooked in the tailgate area made up of three RVs. Well, it was Arkansas Razorbacks… As the pig comes out of the smoker, the LSU cheerleaders arrive. To cut the head off. Apparently, this was not the first time they did it either.
I am also learning about the southern Thanksgiving traditions.
Turducken (turkey in a duck in a chicken). Fried turkey. And my favorite, Spinach Madeline, a la Edwin. A few of you have asked me for that recipe, which he reluctantly shared.
Spinach Madeline (double this)
Ingredients:
2-pack frozen chopped spinach (no leaf)
4 tbs butter
6oz Roll Kraft jalapneno cheese (or substitute – apparently they don’t make this anymore)
2 tbs flour
2 tbs chopped white onion
1 tsp Worcester sauce
½ cup evaporated milk
Red pepper to taste
½ cup vegetable liquid (leftover from boiling the spinach)
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
¾ tsp garlic salt
¾ tsp celery salt
Breadcrumbs
Directions:
Cook spinach; drain; save liquid.
Melt butter, add flour. Stir until smooth, not brown.
Add onions; cook until soft, not brown.
Add vegetable liquid slowly.
Add evaporated milk.
Cook until thick.
Add seasoning and cheese.
Still until melted.
Add spinach.
Place in casserole dish; cover in butter and breadcrumbs.
Bake in 250 degree oven for 20 minutes.
(Best if prepared a day before)
On that note, I am going to heat up some leftovers for lunch… and get ready for the Iron bowl. And call my Mom to let her know I am really still Swiss, through and through…
