Easy Skillet Jambalaya

I have rediscovered parboiled or "converted rice". It makes cooking an after work skillet dinner quick and easy.

Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya

2 teaspoon canola or olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced scallions
1 large stalk celery, sliced
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped or 2 tablespoons dried
1 lb. peeled deveined shrimp
2 cups low salt canned or home made chicken broth
1 cup converted rice
1/2 lb. low fat smoked turkey sausage, cut into half inch slices
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
pinch of salt and dash of black pepper
1 large bay leaf
1, 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes with juice

In a large, non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add scallions, celery, bell pepper and parsley. Cook and stir for 3 minutes or until onions are tender.

Add shrimp, broth, rice, sausage, thyme, peppers, salt and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and simmer 5 minutes or until shrimp are curled, pink and opaque.

Stir in tomatoes, with juice, and bring to a simmer again. Cover, turn off heat and let stand 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving. Stir well. Serves 6.

Serve with hot sauce of choice if desired.

Rice,Lentil, Sweet Potato Stew

Rice, Lentil, Sweet Potato Stew

This can easily be made into a meatless dish by omitting the sausage. Pork or beef sausage could be substituted. The last time I made this I used a spicy chicken sausage.

1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil

1 large onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 teaspoon each: ground cloves, ground coriander, ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to your taste

1 cup brown rice

1/2 lentils, rinsed and picked over

2 fresh plum tomatoes, seeded and diced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch dice

12 to 16 oz. smoked turkey sausage cut into 1 inch slices

In a 4 quart pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and spices and stir 1 minute. Add rice, lentils, tomatoes, salt and 5 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 1 hour.

Stir in sausage and sweet potatoes and simmer until sweet potatoes are softened, about 30 minutes.

Serves 6,