Quick and easy Jambalaya!

I've always been fascinated by restaurants that serve Jambalaya and actually tried several places where they serve it.  I really like it on occasion but hesitated to make it because my hubby isn't crazy about spicy foods so when I came across a recipe in all recipes it was a day to experiment.

 When you try to duplicate a meal it is all part of experimenting with flavors.  I figured today might be the day to try and make something similar but not too spicy.

 This recipe was adapted to my liking and used Seasoned Chicken sausage (Johnsonville Brand fully cooked) in place of the shrimp and also a few pieces of boneless  chicken breast.

 If you like you can still add the shrimp..

 Note:  If using shrimp use approximately 1/2 lb. cleaned and deveined shrimp and add at the very end before serving.  Just enough to heat the shrimp.  I nice change and not too spicy.

Here is my version:

I heated approximately 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet.  Added my sausage 2 links (sliced), 1/4 cup bell pepper diced, 1 diced small onion, 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper..

 Make sure you cook sausage ,onion and bell pepper are slightly browned.  Then you add 2 cups of Swanson chicken broth and 1 cup white minute rice and 1/2 tsp. paprika.  I  brought everything to a boil and then covered the skillet until the rice was tender, approx. 20 minutes or less.

  If you do like it a bit spicier add 1 tsp. hot sauce and 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce to it after rice is tender.    Easy to make and a one pot meal you can prepare in 30 to 40 minutes from start to finish..

Thin the meal  if desired with chicken broth if necessary!

Sorry :(. I forgot to get a photo!

 Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

2/18/12

Mound bars

Mounds Bars with just 3 ingredients

Melted milk chocolate or dark chocolate 

3 cups coconut flakes

1 cup condensed milk

Mix the shredded coconut with condensed milk,mold into oblong shape, add them to freezer for 20 minutes and then dip them in melted chocolate. 

Stick Almonds in them and have Almond Joys Be creative!!!!

Another appetizer to choose from! Seafood Salad Cucumber Cups

  

If you are looking for an appetizer a little different than most try these~  I was invited to a small gathering with some of my gal friends and everyone was taking an appetizer so I thought these might be the right choice of something easy and tasty for me to bring.

Very easy to make, using precooked shrimp and a seedless cucumber..  Salad dressing was a breeze to make!


Happy Entertaining from my home to yours!

Seafood Salad Cucumber Cups.

(adapted from Good food recipes) Good Housekeeping 2011

6 sprigs fresh dill ( I used dried dill)

2 lemons

2 tsp Dijon mustard

pinch cayenne pepper

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

8 oz. Shelled deveined shrimp (16 to 20 ct)

2 seedless Cucumbers

8 oz. Refrigerated lump crabmeat

2 Tablespoons snipped chives

¼ c. pomegranate seeds

Separate dill leaves. .reserve separately

Grate from lemons, ½ tsp. Peel and squeeze ¼ cup juice into large bowl.. Reserve rinds.

Whisk mustard, cayenne and ½ tsp. Salt to peel and juice.. Whisk in oil in a steady stream, until blended.. Dressing can be refrigerated up to 3 days.

I used shrimp only… I bought already cooked and de veined shrimp..Added  dried dill,  and above dressing..

Trim cucumbers, cut into ½ inch thick slices..With a melon baller, scoop out center of slices without cutting bottoms.

 Gently fold into dressing, shrimp and chives.  Fill each cucumber cup with 1 tablespoon salad mixture.. Garnish with pomegrante and dill.. (I garnished with pimento).

11/28/11

12/29/13

It's Friday and I'm making Panko encrusted Tilapia

An easy Fish recipe!!!  Store bought breaded Tilapia.  (Costco)  I have found that as much as I make fish it seems reasonable to buy Tilapia filets for easy fish meals. (I am going to work really hard at trying to find more ways to prepare fish.  I promise!!! :).Tilapia is a mild white fish which suits my hubby and I well.   Tonight I made some easy already breaded Panko encrusted Tilapia fillets.. You can't go wrong with these white fish fillets.  Super good!  I baked them for 17 minutes in the oven and added a Light Parmesan  cheese, butter and olive oil spaghetti side dish and salad..   

Happy Easy Cooking!  Enjoy!!

Panko encrusted fillets with Parmesan spaghetti and iceberg lettuce salad. Cook spaghetti according to directions..add olive oil, butter and some salt and pepper to taste..Toss.  add Parmesan  cheese.

Iceberg lettuce, fresh parsley, Roma tomatoes,scallions, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper

9/9/11

3/22/13

Making Seafood Marinara!

Updated 10/30/2022

Today pasta choice was hubby’s favorite Fettuccine.

Craving a nice seafood meal?  Try this easy marinara and add shrimp, crabmeat or any prepared seafood of choice.

We love shrimp and when I can purchase good quality large shrimp this is definitely a meal both my hubby and I really enjoy! 

 Happy Cooking!

Marinara sauce is one the easiest pasta sauces to make from scratch..  Using either fresh, or canned tomatoes I make this sauce often because both my hubby and I love it.

Today I made it with canned plum tomatoes and other than having to break the tomatoes up while cooking it made a delicious sauce.  I decided that the sauce was a bit too chunky for my liking so I put it in the food processor to thin it a bit. (or you can use your immersion blender too)  

 1lb. Jumbo cleaned and deveined cooked shrimp ( you can add other seafood favorites too)

1 large can Plum tomatoes cut up or smashed with hands

2T. Butter

1 large onion (1/2 grated and ½ sliced)

1 or 2 cloves garlic chopped( If you like garlic don't hesitate to add more)

½  to 1 tsp. fresh basil or dried

½ tsp. oregano optional

¼ tsp. red pepper flakes

salt and pepper to taste
Freshly grated Pecorino Romano Cheese
Dried parsley for garnish

Saute’ onion , butter and garlic in olive oil  until tender.  Add tomatoes, breaking them or cutting them while adding.  Add garlic, basil, oregano(optional) red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.  Cook over medium heat to bring to a slow boil..

Turn heat to low and simmer until reduced by a 1/3.  Add shrimp and heat for a few minutes.  Serve over pasta.


9/23/12 
9/6/12
2/28/14

10/30/2022