Gumbo

I made this for Mardi Gras.  My family loved it.  It is spicy; but, spiciness can be moderated on preference and how much Cayenne pepper you add.  I started with a base from this recipe from a really fun recipe blog that has Disney themed recipes.  I figured if it was close the the Blue Bayou recipe at Disneyland my kids would enjoy it and it is worth a try.  I did alter some things in the recipe and so I will change the recipe below so I can remember for future dinner making fun.  On the Disney blog she found precooked andouille sausage at Target.  I found mine uncooked at the meat counter at my local Harmons.  I browned it in my cast iron and then sliced it and finished cooking it in my oven while I cooked the chicken breast in the pot I made the Gumbo in.  After adding the sausage and chicken to the pot I used the pan I cooked the sausage in to cooked my raw shrimp in that pot seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper and let it soak in the flavors from the sausage.  Make sure not to overcook.  I hope these tips help.  Enjoy!

*serves 8

Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup diced onions
2 quarts low sodium chicken broth
  1 1/2 tablespoons salt or to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (you can increase this amount if you prefer it spicier)

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tsp Tony Chacheres Original Creole Seasoning
1 cup sliced carrots

1 cup diced canned tomatoes
12 ounces frozen cut okra (can also substitute with fresh okra)

1 cooked chicken breast, diced seasoned with Tony Chacheres Original Creole Seasoning 

 2-3 cups pre-cooked Andouille sausage, sliced (if you have to cook this like I did season with Tony Chacheres Original Creole Seasoning)

1 lb cooked Shrimp, large, cut into large pieces 

2 cups cooked brown rice (cook according to package directions)

Directions:

Heat olive oil. Add flour and stir constantly to create a roux. When the roux is a caramel-color, add in celery and onions and cook for 5-7 minutes. Pour in chicken broth. Mix in the salt, pepper, garlic, Creole seasoning, and cayenne. Let simmer 5 minutes. Now add in the tomatoes, carrots, okra, cooked chicken and sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 45 minutes.  Add shrimp and cook for 15 minutes longer.


While the gumbo is simmering, prepare 2 cups of cooked rice according to package directions. Set aside.

When the gumbo is done, spoon prepared rice in the bottom of your serving bowls. Now ladle the hot gumbo on top.

Thai Peanut Chicken Stir Fry

I made this for dinner and the family loved it. What you see in the picture is only half of what this made. We fed 2 adults and 2 children ages 2 and 4. I can assume this would easily feed 4-5 adults or a family of 6. At Costco they have a vegetable blend just for stir fry. It is a large bag next to their other vegetables. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked white rice
4 cups water

3 T soy sauce
2 T creamy peanut butter
2 tsp red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper
1/4 cup water
3 T olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts -cut into thin strips
3 T chopped garlic
1 tsp ginger powder
3/4 chopped green onions
3 cups of chopped or frozen vegetables
1/3 cup of unsalted dry roasted peanuts

Directions

1- Combine rice and water into a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until rice is tender. In a small bowl stir together soy sauce, peanut butter, vinegar, red peppers and water. Set aside.

2-Heat oil in skillet or wok over high heat. Add chicken, garlic and ginger. Stirring constantly until chicken is golden on the outside, about 5 minutes.

3- Reduce heat to medium, and add green onions, vegetables, peanuts and peanut butter mixture. Cook stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender and chicken is fully cooked through. Serve over rice and Enjoy!

Arroz Con Leche (Rice Pudding)

So this is something that I really didn't like as a kid. But for some reason since I got older I have made it a few times just because I am in the mood for it. It is a great way to use left over plain white rice for your dinner. My family liked it so I am sharing it with you.
Enjoy!

1 1/2 cups rice
1 large egg
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cups sugar
2 Tbs vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbs butter (unsalted)
3 Tbs sweetened coconut flakes (opt)
3/4 cup raisins (opt)

In a saucepan mix rice and egg. Add remaining ingredients except raisins. On low heat for 5 minutes continuously whisk mixture. Raise temperature to medium and continue to whisk for another 10 minutes. Raise temperature to high-medium/low high setting. Continue to whisk until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat and add raisins. Takes about 20-30 minutes till mixture thickens. Remember to keep whisking mixture or you will had scramble egg pieces in pudding also while at higher temperatures if left standing the mixture will burn as well boil over and make a mess. It is an easy recipe. Mostly just requires patience until it is cooked. Hope you like it as much as my family did.