Jambalaya

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My family loves this dish and so does everyone that eats it. I based this recipe from  a cookbook recommended to me by a chef in New Orleans.  It was all delish!
Chicken,Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya
1lb. andouille or smoked spicy sausage sliced into 1/4 inch slices
3 chicken breasts cut up into bite size chunks
2c. onions chopped
1 green and 1 red pepper chopped
1 large tomato copped
4 celery stalks chopped
3T. oil
4 T. flour
1/2  6 oz can tomato paste
1 can of beef consomme’ (if you don’t have it you beef broth)
2 bay leaves
1t. basil and thyme
1/2t. chili powder
1/4t. red pepper
pinch of black pepper
1t. salt
1/4t. cayenne
11/2c. chicken stock
3 cloves garlic minced
1c. chopped okra
11/2c. med. shrimp
6 green onions chopped
3T. parsley choppedBrown the sausage in 1t. oil. Remove and set aside. Place chicken in pan and brown very well set aside. Add 3T. oil and 4T. flour and make a medium brown roux whisking until flour is all combined and turns brown. Add chopped vegetables except green onions and parsley and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, Add tomato paste and stir well, then add beef consomme and gradually add 11/2c. chicken stock while stirring. Bring to a slow boil, then add meats stirring well. Add seasonings and garlic and let simmer 15 minutes You can add rice at this point with 2-3 cans of broth and cook 25-30 minutes longer covered or do as I do and keep it as a sauce/topping to put on top of rice. I do this only because I am a big saucey girl. I love the sauce so I want more of it rather than having the rice soak it up.  I add green onions, parsley and a couple dashes of tabasco right at end. Serve over rice. Serves 8-10 people.

Quinoa Mango Chili Shrimp Salad

Quinoa Mango Chili Shrimp Salad

I absolutely love Quinoa no matter what the color. This super grain is dang tasty. I’ve been making more salads and breakfasts with it especially in the summer to beat the heat. This salad turned out really good. It’s a mexican flavored salad with chipotle giving the heat and the mango the cooling sweet effect. I loved the combo. Even my husand really liked it who doesn’t care too much for quinoa unless its in cookies.

Quinoa Mango Chili Shrimp Salad
1c. red or white quinoa cooked (I used red in this one)
1-2 heads of romaine hearts torn up into pieces
1 diced mango
1/4c. diced pineapple
1 roasted red bell pepper cut into bite size pieces
1/4c. toasted pepitas ( I love these. A happy food)
1 avocado chopped
1/2 lb of raw medium shrimp shelled
2 to 3 roma tomatoes chopped
3T. chopped cilantro
To cook quinoa add 1c. quinoa to 11/2c boiling water and 1/2t. salt. Cover and reduce heat to simmer and cook 15 minutes.  Let sit 5 minutes then remove lid and fluff to cool. You will have leftover to use for another salad or breakfast.
Shrimp
I marinated mine for 5 minutes in 1/4c. red chili sauce (like enchilada sauce)
2T. lime juice
1/4c. mango puree or nectar
The marinade is optional but it gives it some extra “YUM” flavor
then quick fry it with the sauce for 3 minutes or until shrimp are done.
Sweet Chipotle Dressing
1T. diced onion
1T. choppd garlic
2T. dijon mustard
1/4t. ground cumin
1/2c. diced fresh tomatoes
2T. cilantro
2/3c. seasoned rice wine vinegar
1/4t. pepper
1t. salt
2T. agave nectar or honey
2T. chipotle puree if you want less spicy add less.( I puree cans of chipotles when I buy them and keep in fridge cause I use them so often. I love me some smoky spiciness)
1/4c. olive oil ( I omit the oil a lot and its great.)
Place all in a blender and puree until all emulsified.
This makes 2 cups you will have leftovers. It is awesome over coleslaw mix for a great mexican side or on fish tacos.
 I got this dressing recipe from Chevy’s cookbook a long time ago and made minor changes.
Mix all salad ingredients together, add shrimp and pour over 1/4c. dressing and see how much more you might like.
 Enjoy