BIG FREEDIAS YAKKA MEIN RECIPE

This recipe for Big Freedia's version of ya-ka-mein takes bout 2-1/2 hours to finish. It is slated to be included in the Queen of Bounce's upcoming cookbook and featured at BUKU Music and Art Project 2016.

Big Freedia's Twerk-a-MeinMakes 6 to 8 servings

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, CHOPPED

1 large celery stalk, preferably with leaves, chopped

2 scallions, finely chopped, plus more for garnish

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 large garlic clove, minced

3 to 4 pounds beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1-inch chunks

Salt and black pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 teaspoons Creole spice blend (or more to taste)

3 or 4 eggs (1/2 egg per serving)

1 pound spaghetti

Put 2 tablespoons of olive oil in large Dutch oven or other heavy soup pot over medium heat. When it's hot, add onion, bell pepper, celery, scallions, parsley and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Season beef with salt and pepper, then add beef, soy sauce, and Creole spice blend, along with 3 quarts (12 cups) of water to vegetables. Bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot, and simmer until beef is very tender, about 2 hours.

Meanwhile, add eggs to saucepan of boiling water and cook for 10 minutes. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Carefully drain eggs, and transfer them to ice bath. Peel eggs and cut them in half lengthwise. Set aside.

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, usually 7 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness of pasta. Drain spaghetti, return it to pot, toss with remaining tablespoon of olive oil to keep noodles from sticking. Cover to keep warm.

When beef is tender, reduce heat under the pot to low. Transfer the meat to large bowl with slotted spoon, and shred it with two forks. Return meat to the pot, and taste and adjust seasoning.

To serve, follow Freedia's instructions: "To assemble Yaka like my momma did, add spaghetti noodles into a bowl and then swiggle and wiggle some of the beef stew in. Shake with sliced green onion and hardboiled egg on top!"