Cajan Jambalaya

Ingredients

• 12 medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped
• 4 ounces chicken, diced
• 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning, recipe follows
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 3/4 cup rice
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 5 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced
• Salt and pepper

Directions

In a bowl combine shrimp, chicken and Creole seasoning, and work in seasoning well. In a large saucepan heat oil over high heat with onion, pepper and celery, 3 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves, Worcestershire and hot sauces. Stir in rice and slowly add broth. Reduce heat to medium and cook until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. When rice is just tender add shrimp and chicken mixture and sausage. Cook until meat is done, about 10 minutes more. Season to taste with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning.

Per Serving: Calories: 402; Fat: 16g (Saturated Fat: 4 grams); Protein: 24g; Carbohydrates: 38g; Sugar: 4g; Fiber 0g; Cholesterol: 97mg; Sodium: 800mg

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

From Food Network

Cheesy Chicken + Wild Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

3 TB olive oil

1 medium onion, finely diced

3 stalks celery, finely diced

3 carrots, peeled and diced

2 TB fresh minced garlic

2 cups shredded, cooked chicken breast

2 cups steamed white rice

2 cups prepared wild rice

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/4 tsp. garlic salt

Cheese Sauce

4 TB butter

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

2 cups chicken broth

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Heat oil in medium dutch oven/pot over medium heat. Saute onion, celery, and carrots until softened, about 10 minutes.  Stir in garlic, and cook for 1 minute.  Stir in chicken, rices, salt, pepper, and other spices.  Reduce heat to low.

2. To prepare cheese sauce, melt butter into a medium saucepan over medium high heat.  Whisk in flour, salt, and pepper; then slowly pour in chicken broth whisking continuously.  Whisk until thick and nearly boiling then stir in cheese until melted.  Pour cheese sauce into rice mixture, and then transfer to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.  Top with additional cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted through.  Serve.

Makes 8-10 servings. 

Notes: I omitted the celery, suggest adding broccoli (already cooked), and also thyme, savory, parsley, celery salt, and a dash of rosemary.  It turned out great though, and all who ate it, enjoyed it.

From: Picky Palate

Super Easy Green Curry

1 can coconut milk (I use the 'lite' kind)
1 cup chicken/veggie broth
1/2 - 2 TB green curry paste - depending on how spicy you like it
1-2 TB brown sugar
1-2 TB fish oil
1-2 TB lime juice

1-2 cups veggies - I've used fresh, frozen, and canned... you pretty much can do whatever.  If you use frozen, let thaw in cold water first, and then drain out any liquid

Meat/Tofu/Seafood/more veggies! - whatever amount you want

Mix all ingredients together in a large pan or saucepan.  Start small with the amounts - you can add more as you go to make it the flavour you want.  Bring mixture to a simmer, and simmer for 5-10 minutes to thicken.  Add meat + veggies and poach for 10 - 20 minutes.  Depending on type of meat used depends on cooking time.  Do not let sauce come to a boil!

Serve over rice.

Momma's Veggie Soup

So this recipe is from my mother-in-law and is a huge hit anytime it's served! You could easily leave out the blending and just chop the veggies, whichever you prefer! I added a dash of salt and Italian blend spices, in addition to a can of black beans.

Ingredients:

2 carrots

1 can diced tomatoes

1 onion

2 celery stalks

3-4 potatoes

4 c. water

2 bullion cubes

a few TBs olive oil

pepper to taste

-optional-

1 zucchini

1 can beans, drained

noodles

handful of rice

other spices

Directions:

Chop potatoes into bite sized pieces. Put the other vegetables through the blender. Saute the vegetables in the olive oil in a large soup pan for a few minutes, then add the water and bullion cubes. Bring pot to a boil. Add pepper and any other spices. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Add beans, rice, and/or noodles shortly after bringing to a simmer.

Rice Pilaf

This is probably my favorite rice pilaf recipe ever.  Extremely simple, makes for great leftovers, and practically anything can be added to it.

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 T butter
1/2-3/4 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1 cup long grain white rice
1 can (14 1/2 oz) regular strength chicken/beef broth  (I use 1 2/3 cup hot water with 2 bouillon cubes)

Salt and Pepper
1 T chopped parsley (optional)

- any other chopped vegetables that you like.  Try: green/red pepper, mushrooms, corn, zucchini

In a 2 quart pan over medium heat, cook onion and carrot in butter until soft.  Add rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until rice is golden (about 5 minutes).
Add broth and salt and pepper to taste.  Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed (20-25 minutes).  Fluff rice with a fork and toss gently with parsley.

If adding other veggies, add in to the butter and onion before rice gets added.

Rice & Beans

this is essentially the recipe that's on the back of the Goya black bean can, but tweaked some over time by my husband and myself. This is a staple in our home!

RICE
.: ingredients :.
2 c. rice
4 c. water
1 TB extra virgin olive oil
½ c. sweet onion
dash of flour
dash of salt

.: preparation :.
In a large pot over medium heat, saute onion in olive oil until clear and soft. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Stirring occasionally, cook until the water has absorbed fully into the rice, about 20 minutes.

BEANS
.: ingredients :.
1 16 oz. can black beans
1 c. water
1 packet Sazón Goya
2 cloves garlic
1 TB cider vinegar
2 TB extra virgin olive oil
¼ c. sweet onion
¼ c. green pepper
¼ tsp dried oregano
dash of Adobo {optional}

.: preparation :.
In a medium pot, saute onion, pepper, and garlic over medium heat. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
NOTE: Adjust amount of water added based on your preference- additional water will create more of a broth for the beans. If too much water cooks out during the simmer, additional water can always be added.

END
.: to make the meal :.
Place desired amount of rice on a plate or bowl. Add rice on top. Top with Mexican Cheese Blend if desired.