New Orleans Creole Jambalaya

New Orleans Creole Jambalaya

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Mardi Gras is almost upon up, and Mardi Gras always makes me think of New Orleans and New Orleans always makes me think of Jambalaya. See how my mind works? It’s all about the food, lol! And while my fave Jambalaya Recipe is already on my site, one made with a roux (that’s said to be the Cajun-style) I really wanted to up my game this year and perfect a Creole-style Jambalaya, the tomato-y kind. Yeah, I’ had to get out of my (very delish) Cajun rut and make this New Orleans Creole Jambalaya for Mardi Gras this year.

New Orleans Creole Jambalaya

New Orleans Creole Jambalaya

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Orzo with Sausage & Peppers

Orzo with Sausage & Peppers

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If you follow me (and if you don’t, I’d love it if you do, see the right sidebar) you know I made Boston Sausage & Pepper Grinders right before Superbowl 2019. See the New England Patriots were playing the Los Angeles Rams (and the Patriots won) and I thought those “grinders” (that’s just the local name for sandwiches) would be perfect for the Superbowl or any game day, or really anytime! What’s not perfect? Leftovers. Leftover link sausages? They’re kinda sad. So I’ve refashioned them into Orzo with Sausage & Peppers.

Orzo with Sausage & Peppers

Orzo with Sausage & Peppers

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Boston Sausage Pepper Grinders

Boston Sausage Pepper Grinders

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The Superbowl is coming right up! Now that’s a big deal in the U.S. for those reading from far-flung lands and it’s an event. We always had a great football team in my hometown, but I’m just not the fan I used to be. I gotta admit, I’m fan of the food, though, and the Superbowl is an excuse to hang out either in front of the TV or in the kitchen. Since the New England Patriots are playing this year, I’m making the Classic Boston Sausage Pepper Grinders.

 

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Overnight Breakfast Sausage Casserole

Overnight Breakfast Sausage Casserole

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I typically don’t make a lot of breakfast casseroles. I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s because I had a small family, I’m not a morning person (I should hashtag that!) and for years, although I have a few breakfast casseroles on my site, I love this Potato Cheese Strata. It’s kind of like my “signature” dish when I have overnight company, but it’s huge and more complicated. But now I have a “new” breakfast casserole, Overnight Breakfast Sausage Casserole. I’m kinda psyched about it.

Overnight Breakfast Sausage Casserole

Overnight Breakfast Sausage Casserole

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Cheap Holiday Party Tray

Cheap Holiday Party Tray

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When the holidays roll around and you’re asked to a party, do you usually say, “What can I bring?” And what if you don’t usually cook, or can’t cook. And maybe your budget is overextended as it is. That’s when you might think Party Tray. And if you know how to assemble a Cheap Holiday Party Tray, all your problems are solved. At least the what to bring option is. I apologize that this tray isn’t decked out in Christmas trappings. Between my bad shoulder and hand, I’m a bit limited and obviously made this Cheap Holiday Party Tray right around Thanksgiving. If you follow me, you might even recognize a few of these items. I’ll link to them, too.

 

Cheap Holiday Party Tray

Cheap Holiday Party Tray

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Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana Copycat

Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana Copycat

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There’s something about Olive Garden. People love it or hate it, but I have to say they’ve cracked the code on how to keep America’s diners happy and coming back. My folks are big fans (more about that, below) but my favorite thing, by far on the menu, is their Zuppa Toscana Soup. Luckily, it’s super easy and fast to make at home. You just need Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana Copycat recipe.

Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana Copycat

Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana Copycat

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Classic Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

Classic Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

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I can’t believe I’ve been blogging for years and have never posted my Classic Biscuits & Sausage Gravy. I think it’s because I have a little angst about the dish.

Classic Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

Classic Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

It’s so good and I’m crazy about it, but I try not to eat it too often. Actually, though, with today’s leaner pork and sausage it probably isn’t as bad as I fear, but I’m still not going to run the nutritional numbers. I’d rather be happy and ignorant!

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Cheesy Potato Sausage Soup - Instant Pot or Stove-top

Cheesy Potato Sausage Soup – Instant Pot or Stove-top

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Oh, but I do love me some soup. Especially in the fall. And since I had some sausage left after making Smoked Sausage and White Bean Soup in the Instant Pot the other day, I thought I’d make more soup, but take it in another direction. I could hardly think of a better use for that sausage than Cheesy Potato Sausage Soup – Instant Pot or Stove-top.

Cheesy Potato Sausage Soup - Instant Pot or Stove-top

Cheesy Potato Sausage Soup – Instant Pot or Stove-top

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Classic Midwestern Stuffing or Dressing

Classic Midwestern Stuffing or Dressing

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Thanksgiving food, here in the US, isn’t really about the turkey – it’s about the sides. To me, it’s not Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes, gravy and of course, stuffing! Notice the explanation point. I get excited about stuffing, especially since I usually only have it once a year. Anything else can be as gourmet or as basic as you’d like, but the stuffing? It has to be this one. This is my Classic Midwestern Stuffing or Dressing,

Classic Midwestern Stuffing or Dressing

Classic Midwestern Stuffing – shown here is 1/2 a recipe

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Home Made Chorizo

Homemade Chorizo

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I used to have such “food envy” about Mexican Chorizo. See, I couldn’t buy it where I lived. So sad, huh? And when it started becoming available, it was super pricey and usually frozen. So I learned to whip up my own Homemade Chorizo. Chorizo is quick and easy to make at home and problem solved!

Home Made Chorizo

Home Made Chorizo

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Cajun Jambalaya Recipe - Classic Roux Based Jambalaya

Jambalaya Recipe

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Jambalaya truly reflects a cultural heritage carried into the New World, nurtured and melded into its own special blend – hundreds of years ago, displaced French Canadians settled into the Louisiana area and adapted this dish to their new surroundings. A lovely melange of vegetables, earthy sausage and chicken are in this Cajun Jambalaya Recipe and it has just the right amount of spice to be interesting. Then Y’all can pass the hot sauce at the table! Happy dance!

Jambalaya - perfectly cooked rice, make either roux or tomato based jambalaya

Do get a good color on sausage and chicken – the chicken should not be cooked through at this point

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Winter Minestrone with Sausage & Beans

Winter Minestrone with Sausage & Beans

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I didn’t use to care for Minestrone. And that’s putting it mildly. I’d had a couple at restaurants that weren’t great and I never explored it further. What I had was kind of muddy and dull in flavor and that pasta in it? Ummm, no thank you! This recipe for Winter Minestrone with Sausage & Beans is the one that turned me around. If you’re like I was, it’s might be time to revisit Minestrone.

Minestrone with Sausage & Beans

Winter Minestrone with Sausage & Beans

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Red Beans & Rice - the classic recipe

Red Beans & Rice

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Years ago, my son and I had Red Beans and Rice in New Orleans – and if you’ve had that experience, you know how the flavors of that dish can literally haunt you; you’ll think about it, taste it again in your mind, and not be satisfied until you have it again. Luckily, its only a food or I’d sound like some kind of crazy stalker…

Red Beans & Rice - the classic recipe

Red Beans & Rice – the classic recipe

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