Jambalaya - more uses for tomatoes

1.5 LBS Chicken
1/2 LB Andouille sausage (1)
1/2 - 1 LB Shrimp, cooked, peeled, deveined (2)
2 TBS Butter
2 TBS Olive Oil
3 C Trinity: Onion, Celery, Pepper abt 2:1:1 Diced
3 cloves garlic
2 bay leaves
1 QT Chicken Stock
1 - 1.5 C long grain Rice (I use Basmati)
3-4 Large fresh tomatoes (3)
Essence of Emril / Cajun Seasoning (4)
Paprika

Cut up Chicken to bite size pieces, coat in sweet Paprika (5)
Slice up sausage in bite size pieces (1)
Heat Butter, brown chicken and sausage in dutch oven set aside meat
sautee trinity in oils for about 8 minutes, add garlic sautee another 3 min
Add broth, tomatoes, meat, bay leaves and seasoning
simmer for 30 minutes
Add shrimp, simmer 3-5 min more and serve


(1) Many recipes call for smoked sausage, do not brown, add with garlic.
(2) have shrimp steamed at the store, without seasoning.
I spent 20 minutes cooking, peeling and deveining the shrimp myself.
(3) Trying to use up garden tomatoes. Had already peeled and seeded them.
Recipe should work with 1.5 or 2 x 14.5 oz cans
(4) http://www.gumbopages.com/food/creole.html
(5) Limit use of paprika to 3 TBS or less - sweet and overpowering otherwise.

Creamy Cheddar Zucchini

Zuchhini everywhere. Must find a way to overcome them...

1 Large Zuchinni, sliced if gone to seed, scoop and toss.
1 Large Tomato or two regular, sliced
2 Eggs
1 C. Sour Cream
1/2 Stick (4 oz. abt 1.5 cups) Grated cheddar cheese
2 cloves garlic
tsp salt
1/2 Tsp pepper
handful of fresh basil chopped
breadcrumbs

Slice the zuke into thin slices
grease a casserole dish
layer to about 1/2 full with sliced zukes
layer tomatoes
mix Sour cream, eggs, 3/4 of cheddar, spices (but not basil)
pour about 1/2 mixture over 1st layer
layer with basil
continue layering zukes
cover with rest of mixture
sprinkle breadcrumbs and reserved cheddar over top

preheat oven and bake at 350 for 45 min.


I forgot to add onion. Probably should have been sliced and layered at the bottom.

Insalta Bella di Paulo

A simple tomato and cucumber salad, in Neuman's Own Basalmic

1 dry qt tomatoes or 3 med / 2 lg tomatoes
2 cucumbers
1/2 red onion
1/2 red orange or yellow bell pepper
2 cloves garlic diced
handful fresh basil torn
1/2 tsp paprika (hot or sweet as desired)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2-3/4 cup Neuman's Baslamic Vinegarette dressing
- there is no substitute. seriously. I've tried many. When it goes on sale,
I buy a case.

Dice tomatoes.
slice cukes to about same size.
coarsly cut onion and peppers - 1/2 x 1/2 inch size
combine all ingredients and marinade in dressing for 1 hr.
serve cooled.

Chili Leftovers 12 25 2009

1 can Hunts diced tomatoes
1 can Hunts diced tomatoes with mild chili peppers
1 can corn
1 can frijoles negro
1 can frijoles roja / pinto
1 LB leftover meat - pork roast
2 cloves garlic
1/2 - 1 diced onion
2-3 TBS Chili powder
2 TBS Cumin
1 Tsp Hot Hongarian Paprika
1 Tsp Oregeno
1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
1/2 Tsp Coriander

Crockpot until hungry.

I think that's everything I threw in the pot Christmas morning at 3 a.m. after configuring net books for the boys.