Mn Early Garden Gumbo

Sometimes, often, you have to work w/ what you've got, which in this case was great: jalapeno peppers and yellow summer squash from the garden. No tomatoes yet. Sausage, chicken and crappies it was, along w/ onions.

If you have bacon, brown it w/ the onions nice and slow in veg or olive oil, you can add butter too, add peppers, then summer squash, sliced sausage, chicken ( boneless, bitesize) then paprika, lots( 3, 4 tablespoons) - make sure you have enough oil and cook it slow so nothing burns, hum a song, blues, something rythmic, slow, or think of your first girlfriend and how her mouth tasted like sweet corn, add garlic, lots , add enough flour to absorb the oil( a tablespoon or two, cook for two minutes) and a cup and a half of chicken broth or water w/ bouillon cubes or base, add 2 bayleaves, black and red pepper to taste, add crappie filets and simmer a few minutes till chicken and crappies( or any fish) is done.

Serve w/ any kind of rice, your favorite, and rustic or french bread for dunking. Kids can pick out the parts they like. We, of course, like it all. You can use cajun seasoning or Herbs d' Provence if you like.