Cajun Recipes and other great tasting ones from the deep south and Louisianna Cajun country

	Homemade Dirty Rice 1 lbs. raw rice 1 lb. red onions 1 tblsp bacon drippings 6 oz. chicken livers and gizzards salt to taste 1 lg. clove garlic 1 bunch green onions 1 sm. pod red pepper 1 sm. bunch parsley 2 1/2 cups water Cook rice nearly done, dice red onions into small pcs. and brown in bacon drippin's. Chop giblets into fine pcs. and cook with onions until done, mince garlic and add to mixture. Chop green onions including tops and parsley, add to mixture. Add salt, red pepper and water, mix together and pour over rice. simmer until rice is done and water is absorbed. Put in a large baking pan and brush top with melted butter. Brown top in 375 deg. oven. Serves 6 to 8 Black-eyed Peas Southern Style 1 pound black-eyed peas 8 cups water 1 large onion, chopped 1/2 green pepper, chopped 2 celery sticks, chopped 2 ham hocks salt and pepper to taste Wash peas and soak in cold water for a couple hours. Drain off water and put peas in a large pot with 8 cups water. Add ham hocks,celery, onions and green pepper. Salt and pepper to taste and cook about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. until peas are done and tender. Serves 4	Brown Rice with Mushrooms 1 med. onion, chopped 1 stick butter 1 can consomme' 1 cup water 1 can mushrooms 1 cup uncooked rice Saute' onion in butter in cast iron skillet,remove onion and slowly add rice to skillet and while stirring, brown rice to a golden brown. Mix onions,rice, consomme', mushrooms and water and put in a baking dish and bake uncovered in a 365 deg. oven until rice is done and water is absorbed, stirring frequently. Serves 4 Cajun Red Beans 1 lb. dry red kidney beans 3 ham hocks about a pound Louisiana Sausages 1 large red onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 bay leaf 1 pod red pepper, chopped fine Cumin powder to taste Wash beans and soak for a couple hours in water. Cook sausages, onion and garlic until brown. Add beans, ham hocks, red pepper, cumin powder, bay leaf and cover with water. Cook real slow for about 3 hours until beans are tender and done. umm-umm goood' serves about 6 hungry souls
	Acorn Squash With Walnut And White Bean Stuffing (6 Pts) 2 large acorn squash, cut in half crosswise; seeded 1 cup water 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 medium red onion 1 rib celery; chopped 2 cloves garlic; minced 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 package Gimme Lean Beef; (14 oz) 1 cup canned white beans; rinsed, drained well 1/4 cup walnut pieces 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley salt and fresh-ground black pepper; to taste 1/4 cup grated soy cheese or mozzarella; optional Cut a thin slice off bottom of each squash so it sits flat. Place 4 squash halves, cavity side down, in a microwave-safe dish. Add 1/2 cup water and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Microwave on high 12 to 15 minutes until almost cooked throough. Or, you can cook the squash in the oven. Preheat oven to 375°. Place squash halves, cavity side down, on a baking pan with sides lined with foil. Add 1/2 cup water to pan and bake squash 35 minutes until almost cooked through. Set squash aside. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add onions, celery, garlic, thyme and oregano and saute 3 minutes until vegetables are tender. Add the Gimme Lean, crumbling it with your fingers as you put it into pan so it resembles ground beef. Cook 2 minutes, add white beans, walnuts, tamari and parsley. Combine mixture well. Season with salt and pepper. Turn squash cut side up and divide stuffing evenly among squash halves. Pack stuffing in and mound top about 2 inches above squash surface, pressing lightly. You can top each squash half with 1 tablespoon soy cheese or mozzarella cheese, if desired. Place stuffed squash back on a baking dish, add 1/2 cup water to pan to prevent sticking and bake, uncovered, 10 minutes until heated through. Per serving (without soy cheese or mozzarella): 364 calories, 20 percent calories from fat, 25 grams protein, 51 grams carbohydrates, 9 grams total fiber, 8 grams total fat, no cholesterol, 690 milligrams sodium. Gimme Lean is a soy-based "ground beef." It comes in a 14-ounce tube or chub and is a substitute for raw ground beef. It's available at natural food stores. Yield: 4 servings