Unicorn (Unicorn@Indenial.com)
Mon, 12 Apr 1999 08:36:11 -0400
The only thing better than a funny food funny is a true food funny.
This one is funny, too. Thanks to reader "RBowdish" for passing it
along.
One evening I was in the kitchen finishing up preparing the evening's
repast, Beef Stroganoff, when my then 4 year old daughter came into
the kitchen and asked, "What's for dinner Daddy?" I took the finished
beef pot off the stove and held it down for her to look in saying
"Monkey meat and noodles!" with excitement in my eyes and licking my
lips. She made a grimacing face and replied, "Eeewwww, I HATE
noodles!"
The term "Zydeco beans" is actually redundant. 'Zydeco' is the music
of the black French-speaking Creoles of Louisiana, and the word is
corrupted from 'les haricots', French for 'snap beans'. Don't ask me
why the music is named after snap beans, my sources didn't seem to
know. Serve this dish as a cocktail snack, or use the beans to stir a
Bloody Mary.
Zydeco Beans
Please note: this recipe is fiery hot. Reduce the amount of cayenne
if you are not fond of spicy foods.
2 cups (500 ml) water
3/4 cup (180 ml) white vinegar
2 Tbs (30 ml) sugar
1 Tbs (15 ml) mustard seeds, crushed
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
4 bay (laurel) leaves
2 tsp (10 ml) salt
1 tsp (5 ml) cayenne pepper (or to taste)
1 lb (500 g) green beans (haricots), trimmed
Combine all ingredients except the beans in a large sauce pan and
bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer
for 5 minutes. Add the beans and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes,
until the beans are cooked but still crisp. Transfer the beans and
liquid to a shallow serving dish and refrigerate covered for at least
4 hours, or overnight. Serve cold or at room temperature. Serves 8
to 12 as an appetizer, 4 to 6 as a side dish.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b3 on Mon Apr 12 1999 - 09:00:02 EDT