Two weekends ago my grandparents came into town to do some visiting as they made their way down to Florida for the winter. Yes, most Minnesota (well most northern state) grandparents have the same migratory patterns which are surprisingly similar to that of a flock of ducks.

While they say they are just trying to stay warm I have a different theory. I believe that all of the grandparents go to Florida and engage in one massive 3 month long Spring Break party that no one under the age of 60 knows about and is reminiscent of the days of yesteryears. While many of you may question the feasibility of this let me first give you the name of this recipe; Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo.

Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo is not really a name that grandparents come up with while sipping hot coffee watching the sunrise on the beach. This is partly why I suspect that there may have been a little spring break partying involved with the creation of this recipe. *Disclaimer* they claim to have gotten this recipe from their son (my uncle) but I’m pretty sure that this is just another one of their elaborate cover ups (similar to that of Roswell).

Next Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo has everything you could ever want at a party; it’s extremely filling (great for absorbing any late night party concoctions) quick and easy to make (you need that if you have been partying for too long), and then there is a case to be made about how the recipe directions were written…

Mumbo Jumbo Gumbo

4 Chicken thighs
2 lbs of Polish sausage, sliced
1 can (14 oz) chicken broth
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 jar of Prego/Ragu/whatever Garlic and Herb spaghetti sauce
1 can (11 oz) corn
1 green pepper

- Cook the birdie bits and den slice ‘em up.
- Cut up the sausage. 2 lbs is double the normal amount but I like da sausage.
- Dump everyt’ing in a pot and den add 2 cups of water. You can add more water if you likes your Gumbos thinner.
- Bring da pot to a boil as if you was going to cook up some crawdads. Cover and cook over a medium fire for about 15 minutes or until da rice isn’t crunchy no more.

For a little more kick in your Gumbo you can zing it a little wit’ a bit of hot red pepper sauce.

Hoo-Wee!

Now does that sound to you like a recipe written by grandparents who do nothing but sit around and play cards every day as they say they have been? I think not! But I’ll let you be the judge here…..

Regardless of who or how this recipe was created I would have to say that this recipe is definitely the perfect recipe for a fall get together with family or friends. It makes enough to feed a hungry group of people and will leave everyone completely satisfied. Which is great…. no matter what it is you’re doing ……