Articles by B. Coop

Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken, Recipes, Soups
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Happy National Comfort Food Day!!!!!! Yeah, I know. These folks come up with all kinds of food holidays. But, I’m with it! I’ll play along! When, I think of comfort food I think of my favorite cook. My Mommy! More specifically, her super delicious Chicken and Dumplings! chicken-and-dumplingsThis was my absolute favorite childhood dish. Only hers though! I asked for her recipe. Why? I don’t know. My mother doesn’t use recipes! She just uses measuring cups to hold liquids. She’s a pro. But, she gave me the run down on the technique and told me to pray for the rest. Thanks, Theresa! I hope my take on this classic makes ya proud, Girl. Let’s cook!

Love,

B. Coop

Chicken and Dumplings
Serves 5
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Cook Time
1 hr
Cook Time
1 hr
Chicken
  1. 2-3 chicken breasts
  2. 6 cups of water
  3. 3 chicken bouillon cubes
  4. 1 tsp onion powder
  5. 1 tsp garlic powder
  6. 1 T seasoning salt
  7. 1 tsp Accent
  8. 1 tsp thyme
  9. 1/2 cup milk
  10. 1/2 cup evaporated milk
Dumplings
  1. 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  2. 2/3 cup chicken broth
  3. 1 tsp baking powder
  4. 3 T melted butter
  5. pinch of salt
Chicken
  1. Season chicken with spices.
  2. Cover with water
  3. Add in bouillon cubes
  4. Boil until chicken is done and tender
  5. Remove chicken and reserve broth.
  6. Once chicken cools, roughly chop or shred it.
  7. Set aside.
Dumplings
  1. Mix all dry ingredients.
  2. Create a "well" in the bowl and pour in the butter
  3. Gradually pour in the broth a little at a time, mixing the flour in between
  4. Using your CLEAN (don't play me) hands, knead the dough
  5. Flour your surface and rolling pin
  6. Roll out the dough and slice it into 2 inch pieces
  7. Leave it to dry out on the surface for 10 mins
  8. Return to the chicken broth
  9. Bring it to a boil
  10. Pour in the milk
  11. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed
  12. Add chicken back in
  13. Add the dumplings
  14. Cook for 25-30 mins on low
  15. Enjoy!
Coop Can Cook https://coopcancook.com/

Smothered Okra with Sausage & Shrimp

Louisiana Favorites, Recipes, Seafood
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I said to myself, “Coop.” Myself said, “Huh?” I said, “Look, we ain’t cooking today, ok??” Needless to say, I lied to myself. Smothered okra with green onion sausage and juicy wild caught shrimp! Yes lawwwd!!! okraI’ve been craving this since my cousin made it for Thanksgiving and I almost ate the whole pot! Didn’t take long either! And the flavor….listen, just try it!

Love,

B. Coop

Smothered Okra with Sausage & Shrimp
Serves 4
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Cook Time
30 min
Cook Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 3 cups of okra
  2. 1 lb sausage (sliced)
  3. 1 lb shrimp
  4. 1 diced onion
  5. 1 diced bell pepper
  6. 1 clove of garlic (chopped or minced)
  7. 2 tablespoons butter
  8. 1/2 cup chicken stock
  9. 1 can diced tomatoes (drained)
  10. 2 T tomato paste
  11. 1 tsp onion powder
  12. 1 tsp garlic powder
  13. 1 T cajun seasoning
  14. 1 tsp Accent
Instructions
  1. Slice sausage and bake in the oven with onion, pepper, and garlic for 7-8 mins
  2. Meanwhile, in a skillet, add okra and tomatoes and fry until slime is no longer visible
  3. Remove sausage and veggies from the oven and add it to the okra
  4. Stir in the tomato paste
  5. Pour in the stock
  6. Stir well, lower heat, and cover skillet with the lid leaving a small crack
  7. Cook for 20 or until liquid reduces
  8. Add in shrimp and cook for 5-7 mins. Be careful not to overcook.
  9. Serve over warm rice
  10. Enjoy!
Coop Can Cook https://coopcancook.com/

Melt in YO Mouth Pralines

Desserts, Louisiana Favorites
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Pecan candy. I just said Pralines to be cute. We all call it pecan candy down here! I have ALWAYS been terrified to cook this stuff. And believe me, I’ve failed a LOT! But, with prayer, practice, patience, and more prayer…look, Mama! I did it! You can too.pralines

My cousin is visiting from San Diego. His Cali friends have never had these before. And, of course, my sweet baby told them that his cousin makes the best! My family loves me, man. Anyway, I made these for him on Snapchat. Some of my Cookies asked me to make a tutorial as well. And since I give you guys what you want….here it is! 

These things LITERALLY melt in your mouth! But, that’s not even the best part. I made these in under 25 mins. I kid you not! But, wait, it gets better. I did it without using a candy thermometer OR the soft ball test!! Yoooo!!! Do you see how much I love you guys?! My goal is to make cooking as easy as I can for you. This candy will be your favorite to make. Try it….NOW! 

Love,

B. Cooppralines

Melt in YO Mouth Pralines
Yields 12
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Total Time
25 min
Total Time
25 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 cups granulated sugar
  2. 2/3 cup evaporated milk
  3. 1 1/2 cup pecans
  4. 4 tablespoons salted butter
  5. 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. I'm not even about to try to type out directions for you! It won't help. You gotta see me make these things, boo. Just scroll your cute self back up to the top and watch that video! Love you!!
Coop Can Cook https://coopcancook.com/

Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken, Pasta
Posted on 2 Comments on Chicken Spaghetti

“I don’t know, but Paul love it!” EVERY single time I make this, I think about an episode of The Maury Show I watched years ago. Do not judge my guilty pleasure. I love ratchet tv sometimes. Don’t tell anyone though. But, there was a woman accusing her boyfriend, Paul, of cheating on her with her best friend. Why? Because, the best friend made his favorite dish. Guess what that dish was? Ha!! Man, that cracks me up every time I think of it. Now, look here, I’m giving you this recipe, but I do NOT condone using it to steal someone’s boo! If he likes it and leaves on his own, well hey, there’s nothing we can do about it. 

This recipe is fast and simple. Kid approved too. Clean up will be easy, because we’re using one pot to cook in and one baking dish. Feel free to use any chicken parts you like. Or just throw in the whole bird. 

Love,

B. Coop

Chicken Spaghetti
Serves 10
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Cook Time
30 min
Cook Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 lb thin spaghetti
  2. 3 cups of cooked chicken
  3. 1/2 bell pepper
  4. 1/2 onion
  5. 1 celery stalk
  6. 2 cans cream of chicken
  7. 1 can cream of mushroom
  8. 1/2 cup milk
  9. 1 can of rotel tomatoes
  10. 2 cups of American cheese
  11. 1 cup of shredded cheese
  12. 3 T butter
  13. 1 T each of onion and garlic powders
  14. Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  2. Cook pasta and drain
  3. Saute diced veggies in melted butter for 5 mins
  4. Add Rotel and soups
  5. Stir in milk
  6. Add american cheese
  7. Stir until cheese melts
  8. Add chicken and pasta
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning
  10. Pour into a greased 9x13 baking sheet
  11. Sprinkle on the shredded cheese evenly
  12. Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 mins
  13. Enjoy!
Coop Can Cook https://coopcancook.com/

Seafood Gumbo

Louisiana Favorites, Seafood, Soups
Posted on 4 Comments on Seafood Gumbo

Gumbo!!! It’s officially gumbo season in Louisiana! Although I make it all year round. What else is air conditioning for? We love our gumbo! We all make ours a little different and that’s ok. Just don’t put corn in it and we’re fine. We’re very particular about how it’s made. Ask Disney. Hehehe…anyway, here’s my beginner friendly version. Oh, and for my Cookies with seafood allergies, just skip the shrimp and crabs. Chicken and sausage gumbo is amazing as well.  Enjoy! Oh and don’t forget the hot sauce!

Love,

B. Coopseafood-gumbo

Seafood Gumbo
Yields 12
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Prep Time
30 min
Total Time
1 hr 30 min
Prep Time
30 min
Total Time
1 hr 30 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 lbs cooked chicken breast or thighs
  2. 2 lbs shrimp
  3. 1 lb of gumbo crabs or your choice
  4. 1 1/2 lbs sausage
  5. 3 Quarts of chicken broth or stock
  6. 1 cup of fresh or frozen okra
  7. 1 T olive oil
  8. 1 onion
  9. 1 bell pepper
  10. 3 celery stalks
  11. 1 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
  12. 1 cup vegetable oil
  13. 1 1/4 cup of all purpose flour
  14. 1 tsp liquid crab boil
  15. 2 T creole or cajun seasoning
  16. 1 T onion powder
  17. 1 T garlic powder
  18. 1 T Accent
  19. gumbo file
  20. parsley or green onions
Instructions
  1. Finely chop all veggies
  2. Toss pan with olive oil and slime out of okra
  3. Slice sausage thinly and bake for 8-10 on 350 degrees F
  4. Season and make roux using flour, vegetable oil, and spices until it is a milk chocolate color
  5. Add in veggies and saute
  6. Add in okra, tomatoes, cooked chicken, and drained sausage
  7. Pour in broth or stock
  8. Stir well; Turn heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed
  10. Add in shrimp and crabs
  11. Cook until seafood is done; about 5-7 mins
  12. Serve with rice
  13. Enjoy!
Notes
  1. Allow gumbo to cool completely before refrigerating or freezing to preventing spoiling.
Coop Can Cook https://coopcancook.com/

Southern Potato Salad

Recipes
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What is the one side dish we can’t do without down here? Potato Salad!!! It is also the one side dish we do not trust everybody to make! “Girl, I only eat my mama’s potato salad!” Guess what, you gone eat Coop’s potato salad too once you try it! lol It goes with so many dishes. And did I mention it’s super easy?? Watch….

 

There ya go! Make sure you have my potato salad in your Thanksgiving spread!

Love,

B. Coop 

Southern Potato Salad
Serves 8
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Ingredients
  1. 8 potatoes, boiled and sliced
  2. 4 hard boiled eggs (sliced roughly)
  3. 4 tablespoons of mayo
  4. 2 teaspoons of Accent
  5. 2 tablespoons of sweet relish
  6. 2-3 tablespoons of mustard
  7. Salt and granulated sugar to taste
Instructions
  1. Mash potatoes and eggs together with a potato masher while they're still hot
  2. Mix is all remaining ingredients until smooth.
  3. Salt and sugar to taste
  4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour
  5. Enjoy!
Coop Can Cook https://coopcancook.com/

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Pasta, Recipes
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I needed to make mac and cheese for church this past Sunday. Of course, I woke up late. Typical, Coop. I had to figure out a way to cook while I dressed. Heeeeey, Crock pot! I rarely use the thing. That’s about to change! This mac and cheese is my new favorite! Easy, sinfully creamy, and it allowed me to cook while I did my make up! Look at God!!!

You can set it at high and cook for 1 hour. Or, set it at low and cook for 2. When it’s done, just turn the dial to the “Warm” setting and it will stay perfectly hot and creamy throughout dinner. Clean up will be easy breezy too, because you won’t have any leftovers. More slow cooker recipes are in our near future, Cookies…

Love,

B. Coop

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Serves 10
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Ingredients
  1. Cooking spray
  2. 3 cups of elbow macaroni
  3. 15 oz can of cheddar cheese soup
  4. 3 1/2 cups of half and half
  5. 2 cups of American cheese (cubed)
  6. 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese
  7. 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  8. 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
  9. 1 teaspoon of Accent
  10. salt and white pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Boil pasta for 4-5 mins.
  2. Drain
  3. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray
  4. Whisk soup and half and half together in the slow cooker
  5. Add in pasta and butter
  6. Then cheese and spices
  7. Stir and cover
  8. Cook on low for 2 hours or on high for 1 hour (check after 40 mins if cooking on high)
  9. Enjoy!
Coop Can Cook https://coopcancook.com/

Dirty Rice

Beef, Louisiana Favorites
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If you’ve ever attended any event in the South, you’ve had this dish. Birthday parties, family reunions, bbqs, heck even at some weddings, you’re bound to see a pan of dirty rice included in the spread. It’s just apart of our menu. And for good reason! It goes with pretty much anything! Potato salad and fried fish are my favorites to pair with dirty rice. What’s yours? Tell me in the comment section…after you watch this.

dirty-rice 

I’m off pork, but feel free to add some of that if you’d like. Use chicken gizzards if liver isn’t your thing. It’ll lend a milder flavor. Happy Cooking!

Love, 

B.Coop

Dirty Rice
Serves 8
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
45 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
45 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
  2. 8 oz chicken livers
  3. 4 cups of rice
  4. 4 cups of beef broth
  5. 1/4 cup chicken broth
  6. 1 small bell pepper
  7. 1/2 onion
  8. 3 celery stalks
  9. Onion and garlic powders
  10. Cajun spices
Instructions
  1. Cook rice in beef broth (I use a rice cooker)
  2. Chop veggies finely or use a food processor
  3. Season chicken livers with onion and garlic powder
  4. Bake livers for 20-25 mins on 375 degree F
  5. When done, use food processor to grind them finely.
  6. Season and brown beef
  7. Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth and chopped veggies
  8. Cook for 5-7 mins.
  9. Add liver and cooked rice
  10. Stir well to combine
  11. Season to taste with cajun/creole seasoning
  12. Enjoy!
Coop Can Cook https://coopcancook.com/

Jerk Chicken Sliders with Pineapple Slaw

Chicken, Recipes
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I needed a flavor shock in my life. When I think of flavor explosions, I think of Jamaican food. So, today, we’re making Jerk Chicken Sliders with a sweet, tangy pineapple slaw!  I love it! The perfect blend of comparable herbs and spices is just delightful! Jamaicans know flavor!! Of course, I had to make this Coop style. jerk-chicken You know, I’ll use any excuse to eat pineapples! But, coleslaw gets a bad rep. I’m trying to change that with this slaw.pineapple-slaw Watch me make this….

 

Love,

B. Coop

jerk-chicken-sliders

Jerk Chicken Sliders
Serves 8
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Prep Time
12 hr
Total Time
14 hr
Prep Time
12 hr
Total Time
14 hr
Jerk Chicken
  1. 2 tablespoons olive oil
  2. 1/2 red onion
  3. 3 scallions or green onions
  4. 1 teaspoon of ginger
  5. 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
  6. 3 garlic cloves
  7. 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  8. 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
  9. 1 teaspoon of cumin
  10. 2 teaspoons allspice
  11. 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  12. 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  13. 1/3 cup of orange juice or mango, peach, and orange juice
  14. Juice from 2 limes
  15. 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  16. 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  17. 2 tablespoons of scotch bonnet pepper sauce or 3 scotch bonnet or habanaro peppers
  18. 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  19. slider rolls
Pineapple Slaw
  1. 1 package of coleslaw mix
  2. 1/3 cup of coleslaw dressing
  3. 3 tablespoons of pineapple juice
  4. 1/2 cup of diced pineapples
  5. Pinch of salt
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients except chicken and bread in a food processor or blender
  2. Blend well
  3. Pour over chicken in a plastic bag or container.
  4. Marinate for at least 12 hrs.
  5. Pour chicken and remaining marinate into a pan
  6. Bake on 375 for about 35-40 mins or until juices run clear.
  7. Remove and allow chicken to rest
  8. Slice and serve on buns with slaw
Pineapple Slaw
  1. Add pineapples to the coleslaw mix
  2. Mix pineapple juice with dressing and pour over coleslaw mix
  3. Add a pinch of salt
  4. Toss well to combine
  5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour
  6. Enjoy!
Coop Can Cook https://coopcancook.com/

Yakamein

Beef, Louisiana Favorites, Recipes, Seafood, Soups
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Here’s my take on a New Orleans original!! Good Ole Sober!! Cures you from that wild night of fun on Bourbon Street. Now, this Creole/Asian dish was meant to utilize readily available ingredients. So, leftover cooked meats are welcomed. To those not familiar with Yakamein, this soup can look a little scary! But, trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll be hooked. Watch me cook….

Love,

B. Coop

 

 yakamein

yakamein

Yakamein
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Ingredients
  1. 1 pound meat (chicken, beef, and/or pork)
  2. 1 pound shrimp
  3. 1/3 cup Worcestershire Sauce
  4. 1 tablespoon onion powder
  5. 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  6. 2 tablespoons Cajun spices Tony Chacatere's, Slap Ya Mama, etc.
  7. 4-6 cups beef broth (I use Better Than Boullion Roasted Beef flavor)
  8. 1 tablespoon Liquid crab boil
  9. 1 pound thin spaghetti or dry rice noodles
  10. 4 boiled eggs
  11. chopped green onions or parsley
  12. soy sauce and hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
  1. Cut meat into 1/2 inch chunks.
  2. Season with all spices.
  3. Toss the meat in the Worcestershire sauce.
  4. Pour beef broth into a saucepan. Bring to boil.
  5. Add meat. Reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 1-2 hours or until desired tenderness is reached,
  6. If using shrimp, toss them in the liquid crab boil and add them during the last 15 mins of cooking time.
  7. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  8. Serve with one boiled egg per serving.
  9. Enjoy!
Coop Can Cook https://coopcancook.com/

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