For a couple of years now, I've been asking Beren to take me to New Orleans. With my passion for all things French combined with my appreciation of burlesque (and sexy ladies in general), I just know I'd love it! He's already been there and though he enjoyed it, he would prefer to visit somewhere new on vacation. Well, now that we've been living part time in North Florida, it's "only" about a 9-hour drive from our doorstep to his favorite bar, a much more do-able trip. So, we just might be taking a little vacation sometime in the very near future! In the meantime, I'll start planning and getting into the spirit with some Canjun cooking!
Let me tell you, my man loooooves his Jambalaya. He's been tweaking the recipe for years, taste testing from various restaurants in order to perfect his own version. Honestly, I couldn't share the recipe with you even if I wanted to, it's such a mishmash of ingredients which of course he doesn't measure or weigh. I know that he starts with this basic recipe which as you can see is pretty high in calories & sodium, yikes! I admit, it is delicious but not very healthy and certainly not "clean."
So, while Beren's in the kitchen cooking up his dinner, I'll be alongside him whipping up this healthy version:
Shrimp Jambalaya
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1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 clove minced garlic
16 ounces stewed tomatoes
1/2 cup water
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp red pepper
1 dash pepper
1 pound shrimp -- Shelled and deveined
2 cups cooked brown rice
Pam cooking spray
In a saucepan coated with Pam, cook onion, pepper and garlic until tender. Stir in stewed tomatoes, water, bay leaves thyme, basil, red pepper, shrimp, and cooked rice. Bring to a boil and reeduce heat. Cover and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. Stir frequently.
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Serves 4. Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 276 Calories; 3g Fat (9.7% calories from fat); 27g Protein; 35g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 173mg Cholesterol; 201mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 3 Lean Meat; 2 Vegetable; 0 Fat.
NOTES : Note: If you don't like shrimp you can substitute chicken breast.
Have a Beauty-Full Day,
I love Jambalaya! Thanks for sharing this healthier recipe. I'll have to try it soon.
ReplyDeleteNew Orleans is a reat time. I have not been there since before Katrina, but that town is just plain fun. Certainly a foodie paradise! Take lots of pictures to share when you go for us :-)
ReplyDeleteI first heard of Jambalaya when it was mentioned on the sitcom Scrubs. I never knew what it was and I guess I just forgot about it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds delicious. I would substitute the shrimp for the chicken though, since I am not a massive fan of seafood. As someone who is less than awesome in the kitchen, this sounds like something I could manage.
That looks good, and what's more, it looks easy!
ReplyDeleteMoving Mertle, be sure to let me know how you like it! :)
ReplyDeletePatrick, I sure will! :)
ReplyDeleteMark, I'm sure you could do it, it was so easy! Let me know how you like it.
ReplyDeleteGingerella, if you're like me, I don't feel like spending a whole lot of time in the kitchen during the summer, too darned hot! So, easy is the way to go, right? :)
ReplyDelete