Zoo Atlanta

We went to Zoo Atlanta today with the Beeler Family. I bought a family membership with the giftcard I got from my mom for Christmas, so we will be going a lot over the next year. :) We got to see flamingos, gorillas, lions, frisky kangaroos, elephants and all sorts of other animals. Alex liked the panda bears best and Kaitlyn liked all the different birds. We had hoped to see the new baby gorillas, but the zoo worker told us it was a little too cold for them to be outside. At least with our year passes we can come back and try again!

I tried a new recipe for dinner tonight and it was awesome! It would be great as an appetizer or for parties. I served it with grits (love those grits!) and celery stalks. YUM!

Cajun Crabmeat Au Gratin

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS:
2 egg yolks
12 fluid ounces heavy cream
1/4 cup butter
1 large yellow onion, minced
1 stalk celery, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded American cheese
1 pound cooked crabmeat
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 bunch green onions

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking dish. In a bowl, whip together the egg yolks and heavy cream.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onion and celery about 5 minutes. Season with salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and Creole seasoning. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very tender.
Mix the flour into the saucepan, and cook and stir continuously for 5 minutes. Mix in the egg yolk mixture. Stir in the 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese and American cheese until melted. Remove from heat and fold in the crabmeat. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until bubbly and lightly browned. Remove from heat and top with the sharp Cheddar cheese and green onions. Allow the cheese to melt before serving.