Easy Jumbalaya

Want a new recipe? I decided to build on a box of Red Beans and Rice I had in the pantry. It turned into a Sausage jambalaya that was quite tasty. Along with a Spinach salad-it made a healthy and filling meal for my 4 men and myself. We even had leftovers for my lunch! This is a cheap meal too- costing a little over $1 a serving It really was delicious. My oldest, Zach, said it was better than the jambalaya he had when we were on vacation at Callaway Gardens.

Ready? OK!! here we go...

Ingredients:

1 TB oil (olive or Veg is fine)

1 to 1.25 lb fresh mild sausage

1 small or half med. onion (chop small dice)

1 small bell pepper and 1 small jalapeno pepper-take out seed and veins(very small dice)

1 box Zatarain's Red Beans and Rice

1 can whole tomatoes-do not drain-use liquid

few dashes hot sauce

black pepper-to taste

1)Brown cut up sausage in 1 TB oil with onion and peppers in a big frying pan. If you don't like onion-just leave out. Add can of tomatoes (undrained), hot sauce and a sprinkle of pepper. Let simmer while your Bean/rice cooks (15 min)

2)Cook Beans and rice in separate pot as per package directions. In place of one cup of water-use a cup of liquid from your tomato/sausage mixture. This is important-or you will end up with too much liquid in the end. We wouldn't want that., now would we? Cut back the cooking time about 5 minutes. Don't worry-it will cook more in step 3.

3) pour bean/rice into sausage/tomato mixture and cover. Cook on low 10 minutes stirring often.

Enjoy! If you don't like or can't eat onions or peppers-then leave then out! Feel free to use what ever type onion/pepper/tomato you have on hand. If you want more spice-try the hot sausage and /or up the hot sauce.

NOTE: hate or can't eat sausage? Try Chik breast instead!! Also adding/subbing 1-2 lbs shrimp would be wonderful. Just be sure to add the shrimp during last 2 min of cooking and don't overcook them.