Fave Foods

The spread last Christmas.

I was asking my husband the other day to make his famous jambalaya when I realized how often someone in the family asks him to make it.  I started thinking about how often we do that - eat the same meal over and over because it's our favorite - and I came up with two meals that we eat really often; like, every other week.  It kind of shocked me to really think about how often we eat these things, but it was also comforting to think about our family loving these two really different meals.    

The Favorite Foods Criteria:
1.  Every member of the family must like it.
2.  It must be relatively easy to make.
3.  The ingredients must be mostly on hand (no running to the specialty Norwegian-only store in the next state for some obscure spice).
4.  Bonus:  The recipe is one that is a whole meal in itself:  The ingredients include meat, veggies, and a starch - or no meat if you're a vegetarian.

So, in the spirit of sharing, here are the recipes for Daddy's Jamba and 7-Layer Chinese Chicken Salad.  They are easy to make, easy to alter the ingredients to fit your taste, easy to double, taste amazing, and your family will love them.  Don't expect leftovers.  

Easy Cajun Jambalaya

2 t olive oil

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

8 oz kielbasa, diced

1 onion, diced

1 green pepper, diced

1/2 c celery, diced

2 T garlic, chopped

1/4 t cayenne pepper

1/2 t onion powder

salt and pepper to taste

4 c chicken stock

3 bay leaves

2 t Worcestershire sauce

1 t hot pepper sauce

2 c uncooked white rice

Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Sauté chicken and kielbasa until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic. Season with cayenne, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes, or until onion is tender and translucent. Add rice, then stir in chicken stock and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, or until rice is tender. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce.

7-Layer Chinese Chicken Salad

Salad

5 cups shredded romaine lettuce

1 package (3 oz) Oriental-flavor ramen noodle soup mix

2 c finely chopped cooked chicken

1 can (11 oz) white shoe peg corn

1 large tomato, finely chopped

2 med green onions, finely chopped (2 T)

1/2 c coarsely chopped dry-roasted peanuts

Dressing

2 T sugar

1 t salt

1/2 t pepper

3/4 t grated ginger root

1/4 c vegetable oil

3 T white vinegar

In bottom of large 3-qt serving bowl, arrange lettuce.  Discard the seasoning packet from soup mix; coarsely crush noodles.  Layer noodles and remaining salad ingredients over lettuce in order listed. 

In small jar with tight-fitting lid, shake dressing ingredients until well blended.  Pour over salad.  Serve immediately.  

Family:  What meals did I leave out?

Readers:  What are your favorite meals?  Send me your recipes!