Ham, Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya

Nothing says the holidays better than a big pot of Jambalaya

lard from spare ribs

white onions

celery

shallots

red bell peppers

homemade sausage and reserved cooking liquid

ham

tomatoes

beef broth

jasmine rice

sea salt

freshly cracked pepper

cayenne pepper

green onions

shrimp, peeled and deveined

Happy New Year and Good Eats!  

Lamb Korma

This lamb korma was cooking in the slow cooker while I was away at work today. It was nice to come home to a hot cooked meal.  

Lamb (shoulder) cut into pieces

Avocado oil

Mustard seeds

Turmeric

Ginger

Cayenne pepper

Water

Onions

Spinach

Sea Salt

Freshly cracked black pepper

Greek Yogurt

Balsmati rice

Chicken stock

Filet Mignon Dinner

It is not often that this is what I would make for dinner but I'm now reading and trying out recipes from The Grain Brain Cookbook by Dr. David Perlmutter and I happened to find a good price on filet while at Costco this evening. So I thought why not.   

Filet mignon steak

extra-virgin olive oil

Sea Salt

Freshly cracked black pepper

Unsalted butter

Red wine

Basmati rice

Baby bok choy

Fennel

Fresh ginger

Red onion

Sesame seed oil

Tonight's Gluten Free Dinner...

Shrimp with Mango Salsa served on Balsmati Rice

Product information: Aqua Star Reserve Wild Shrimp & Sweet Mango Salsa (100% Natural and Genuine Wild) Available at Costco.  

Ham and Sausage Jambalaya

This is one of my favourite meals on a chilly winter day... actually, it is one of my favourite anytime meals.

 I started with 1/4 cup of lard. Yes, I said lard, or bacon drippings if you prefer. Trust me on this one. I once made this dish with olive oil. It is not even close to the level of deliciousness that lard brings it to.

Add one small onion, and several shallots. You can use garlic instead of the shallots if you prefer.  Add three celery stalks. If I had a green pepper on hand I would have added 1/2 pepper. Saute for about five minutes or until the vegetables are starting to soften.

Add about 1 cup of diced ham and 1 cup of spanish chorizo or a homemade spicy smoked sausage. Continue to cook for about 8 minutes.  Add 2 cups basmati rice that has been rinsed. Cook for about five minutes. Add 2 diced tomatoes and 3 cups of stock. If I had used homemade sausage, I would use the reserved cooking liquid.  Season with sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper and cayenne pepper.

Reduce heat. Cook until all the liquid has been absorbed, approximately 45 minutes. Add green onions, adjust seasoning if needed and enjoy!

Paella Valenciana

I think this is the best paella recipe ever!

1/2 cup olive oil
1 large white onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/2 lb chorizo, cut into chunks
3 - 4 chicken breasts, cut into chunks
12 to 16 large shrimps, peeled and deveined
10 large scallops
8 oysters, scrubbed
12 mussels, scrubbed
8 clams in shells, scrubbed
6 crab claws
1 lb red snapper, cut into chunks
3 cups seafood stock
pinch of saffron
1 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 cup brown rice
1/4 cup white wine
green peas for garnish

Pour olive oil in large heavy stock pot (one that will fit in the oven later).  Add onions and green peppers and saute until just limp.

Add tomatoes, garlic and bay leaf.  Cook five minutes.

Add Italian sausage and chicken and saute until tender, stir to prevent sticking or burning.

Add seafood, stock,

saffron, and salt.

When this boils, add rice.  Stir and bring to a second boil.

Cover and bake in oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  To serve, sprinkle with wine and garnish with peas.