Spicy Jambalaya

In addition to preparing healthy and nutritious meals, I also make an effort to plan our meals according to what ingredients I have around.  In particular, I try to use my perishables up first so nothing I buy goes to waste.  Last night, I had two links of hot turkey sausage left after I made a pasta dish earlier in the week.  After a quick search of what else I had that needed to be used (onion, garlic, red and green bell pepper), I decided on Jambalaya for dinner.  As usual, this recipe is a lighter version of traditional Jambalaya.  Here is how mine compares:

Regular Jambalaya:  Andouille sausage is fried in oil, and cooked with veggies and tons of white rice (that's two strikes - both fatty and super starchy).

My Version:  Lean turkey sausage is seared using only light cooking spray, and mixed with onion, peppers, garlic, seasonings, and a small amount of filling and heart-healthy brown rice.  

One thing to note as you are making this:  check your seasonings often.  With all the different spices and flavors going on here, it's easy to light yourself up by adding too much of a kick.  Remember, you can always add, but you can't take away.  That's your fair warning.  Now get cookin!

Spicy Jambalaya

2 links turkey or chicken sausage

1 large onion, diced

1 large bell pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, diced

1 cup brown Minute rice

2 cups 99% fat free chicken broth (low sodium is best)

1 can Rotel (don't drain)

1 Tbsp Cajun or Creole Seasoning

1/4 tsp dried oregano

8-10 ounces shrimp, cooked, peeled, deveined, de-tailed, and roughly chopped

Hot sauce to taste

Add all ingredients except sausage and shrimp to large pot.  Cover and simmer 20-25 minutes on medium, stirring often.

Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over medium heat and add cooking spray.  Brown sausages on all sides. 

Once sausages are cool enough to handle, slice into coins and add to pot.  Simmer, uncovered, another 10 minutes.  

Add shrimp and cook just until heated through.  Serve with additional hot sauce for garnish.  Enjoy!

Makes 4 servings.