So yesterday everyone got all bloated from liquor celebrating Fat Tuesday and now everyone’s heading to church to get their ashes. It’s the Catholic way, no?! Although I went to a Catholic school, I haven’t gone to church on Ash Wednesday in years, (sorry Ma) but I did however celebrate the New Orleanian way with some Jumbalaya and fine wine last night!
This is my first attempt at making Jumbalaya and I wanted to create a recipe using it’s traditional Andouille sausage but don’t cha know the markets (I went to three) were totally sold out. Note to self: Next year shop for ingredients days ahead of time to avoid this! So instead, I settled on Turkey Kielbasa since I married a cute Polish/ Irish guy! It’s low in fat and sodium and I also used a low sodium chicken broth since I skipped out on adding chicken altogether.
In Chicago, Andy and I used to love this place called Heaven on Seven in our neighborhood that specialized in New Orleanian food, most notably the gumbo! They also had this amazing Jumbalaya and I think that’s the last time I had a bowl. And I made it a little bit spicy by using Siracha (Andy’s favorite staple) and Creole seasoning. I may have had some chocolate chips for dessert but I’m giving them up for Lent. Yes, I’m still a practicing Catholic even if I’m not a holy roller! Those chips after dinner are the bane of my existence!
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Jumbalaya- serves 4 or more
Ingredients:
-32 oz. ow sodium chicken broth
-13 oz. Turkey Kielbasa, cut .5 inches thin
-1 lb. shrimp, peeled
-1 cup brown rice
-2 large tomatoes, diced
-6 garlic cloves, minced
-1 green pepper
-1 red pepper
-1 red onion
-2 tsp. Siracha hot cause
-1 tsp. Creole seasoning
-cilantro
-1 bunch scallions
Directions:
1. Chop up all the veggies and place in a large pot.
2. Add the chicken broth, seasonings, rice and Kielbasa. Cut the sausage about a half of an inch thick. Cover the pot.
3. Bring the Jumbalaya to a boil, then turn on low and allow it to sit until the rice is thoroughly cooked. Should take about 20 minutes.
4. Add the shrimp at the very last minute before you serve.
5. Top with scallions and cilantro! Enjoy!
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My book recommendation this week is Katherine Boo’s Behind the Beautiful Forevers. It will make you look at India in a whole new way and if you don’t know why it’s still a third world country, you will after reading this. Oh! And speaking of books- Nan, the owner of my local used bookstore in Grover Beach, convinced me to buy 50 Shades of Grey the other day… did I mention she’s a senior citizen?! Too funny….she said, “I wasn’t a fan of erotica and S&M before this book!” HA! I almost died!
Fat and Catholic…