Friday, March 16, 2012

Jambalaya

I have tried a few jambalaya recipes in my time, and this one is BY FAR my favourite.


I didn't take any "during" photos, because I didn't know it was going to turn out so well! This is a great 30 minute meal!

Recipe:
1/2 cup onions
1/2 lb. ground sausage
shrimp (as much as you want to add)
1/2 cup basmati rice (makes about 1 cup cooked)
1/2 cup broccoli
1/2 sweet peas
2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp cajun
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt (optional - I didn't add it, since sausage is already salty)
1/2 tsp black pepper

1. Cook the basmati rice according to directions. Usually it's 1/2 cup of rice, 1 cup of water. Boil water, then add rice. Let it have a hard simmer (around mid-high on the stove) for 20-25 minutes, or until the water has dissolved. If the water has dissolved and the rice isn't done yet, just add a bit more water. I know you're not supposed to do that, but I've done it before, and it works fine.

2. Meanwhile, cook up the onions in some olive oil.

3. Then scramble fry the ground sausage with the onions until brown. There will be some juice, since the sausage fries up that way. Keep letting it fry until all the juice is gone (took me about 5-7 minutes).

4. Add the paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, cajun, Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper. Mix through the sausage thoroughly.

5. Stir in the broccoli and peas. These guys took only 5 minutes to steam.

6. Add the shrimp. Since we had pre-cooked shrimp, it only took another 5 minutes to heat through.

7. Combine the rice with the meat and veggies.

8. Serve and enjoy!

Homemade Apple Sauce Donuts


These donuts are SO scrumptious! WAY better than I thought they were going to be!
Here's the lowdown (lol): 

  • 2 quarts oil for deep frying
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup applesauce
  • 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mace
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting


Heat oil to 375 F. We don't have a deep fryer, so we had to use a dutch oven. It worked great!



In a large bowl, mix together white sugar, butter, eggs and applesauce.
In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, mace and cinnamon.

Stir flour mixture into egg mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Mix until a stiff dough is formed.


Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 3/4" sheet.


Cut the donuts out with a donut cutter. We didn't have one, so I used a cup.


Carefully slide donuts into hot oil. Fry on each side until they are a golden brown on both sides. It took me about 3 minutes each side.



Drain donuts on paper towels and dust with confectioner's sugar (icing sugar). Serve hot.


They really are best eaten when they are hot and freshly made. But they are also very good cold. Just ask Alexander. He ate EIGHT of them while I was upstairs with Isabel one day. EIGHT of them. sheesh. 

Here is the nutritional stats for one donut: