JAMBALAYA

We actually call this dish Garalaya.  Why?  Well, my brother made this for us when we were visiting him.  Its kind of like Jambalaya but tweaked a little. Since then I have made it several times and so has my Mother.  It's really nice as you can pretty much put anything you want in it. Add in some zucchini if you like. Its one of those "use things up" kind of things.

Garalaya

2 tablespoons oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 bell pepper (any color)
1 1/2 pounds Kielbasa or Andouille  (any kind of sausage works as long as it has some great flavor)
4 to 6 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
1 can beans with liquid
Creole Seasoning to taste (its salty and spicy- if you dont have it see below for an idea on how to make your own) I used Konriko here.
4 green onions, sliced thinly

Saute onions and pepper in oil, cooking until golden.  Add garlic, cook one minute more.  Add in fresh tomatoes. chopped kielbasa, beans and Creole seasoning. Cook until the tomatoes are just starting to fall apart.  Garnish with green onion sprinkled over top and the Creole seasoning or hot sauce in case someone wants a little more heat.  We like it with rice too.

Creole Seasoning Mix

2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried basil
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon white pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
5 tablespoons paprika
3 tablespoons salt

Mix together thoroughly.

Green Tomatoes For Breakfast

I gave my husband an idea for his breakfast last Saturday morning.  There was a little sausage leftover from the previous nights dinner. some pickled green tomatoes left over from fried green tomatoes and a potato!

He was very proud of this breakfast that he made and the fact that one of his dishes made it to my blog.  This one rocked babe!

If you want an idea for pickled green tomatoes, go here. 

Creamy Sausage Kale Soup

We are in the last of our chillier days here.  Mostly the in fifties (F) but starting to warm up more and more.  It's actually a great time of year to clean out garden beds and get ready for planting.  We generally plant mid May.

After a day cleaning out the garden it was nice to come in for some of this delicious soup.  It is a delicious soup that is actually quite quick to make and definitely satisfies.  I did it all in the same soup pot so not too much messing around.


Zuppa Tuscana

1 lb Italian sausage 

2 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup crisped bacon 

2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups kale 

2 cups chicken broth
1 quart water

1 bay leaf

Chop or slice uncooked sausage and raw bacon into small pieces. Brown sausage and bacon in a soup pot.  Drain on paper towels and return to pot. Add chicken broth and water to pot and stir, scraping hte bottom of the pot. Add onions, potatoes, bay leaf and garlic. Cook on medium heat until potatoes are done. Salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer for another 20 minutes. Add kale- cook five minutes more.

I add a tablespoon of cream to each bowl as not all of us can have dairy.  You can add the cream directly to the pot if you like.  Honestly it tastes great without the cream as well.