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Sausage and Shrimp in one pot

by Rachel Gillette

Ingredients
2 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 pound hot or sweet bulk Italian sausage or 1 pound of links, split from casings
2 cubanelle peppers, seeded and chopped
1 red onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Salt and pepper
1 15-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes or stewed tomatoes
1 cup chicken stock
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
1 pound large, peeled, deveined shrimp
A handful of basil leaves, torn or shredded
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, a handful, chopped
1 loaf ciabatta bread (Ijust made my own french bread)

Heat a large, high-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium to medium-high heat with EVOO, a couple of turns of the pan. Add the sausage, crumble and brown 3-4 minutes then add peppers, onions and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes more so the vegetables start to soften.

Add tomatoes, stock and bay leaf, stir and bring up to a boil. Add shrimp and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook 5 minutes, uncover and stir in basil and parsley. Turn off heat.

Crisp bread in the hot oven. Serve stoup in shallow bowls with crusty bread alongside for mopping.

Kennedy and I watched the Rachael Ray show the other day, and this is what she demo-ed, so we tried it that night, and it is yummy

Spinach – bacon macaroni and cheese

by Rachel Gillette

3 C. medium shell macaroni, uncooked
1 pkg. (6 oz.) fresh baby spinach leaves
4 slices bacon, chopped
2 Tbs. flour
2 C. milk
2 C. Shredded cheddar cheese
¼ C. grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350.

Cook Macaroni as directed on package, add spinach the last minute. Cook bacon in large saucepan. Remove bacon, save drippings in pan.
Add flour to drippings, cook and stir until bubbly. Gradually pour in milk. Bring to boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 3-5 mins or until thinkened.
Stir in 1 C. cheddar cheese and parmesan; cook and stir until melted. add bacon and macaroni; mix well.
Pour into 1 ½ qt. casserole dish, top with remaining cheddar. Bake 20 minutes.


I left out the spinach this time and the kids thought it was the "real" macaroni and cheese, just with bacon, which they loved.

Chicken Chili

2-4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or cubed ( I have also use canned chicken)
1 1/2 - 2 cans chicken broth
1 small can of Rotel tomatoes and green chilis
1 small can stewed tomatoes
1 can corn
1 15 oz can black beans
1 15 oz can kidney beans
2 tsp cumin seeds
garlic powder to taste

Mix all ingredients in a pot and cook until warm.
Serve with sour cream on top.

Strawberry Jello Cake

1 box white cake mix
1 small bag frozen sweetened strawberries
1 small pkg strawberry jello
1 can strawberry pop
1 8 oz cool whip

Bake cake according to directions and let it cool. Boil pop and add jello. Stir until dissolved. Do not add water to jello. Let jello cool about 10 minutes. Use a fork and poke holes in the cake. With a spoon, pour jello slowly into the cake. The topping is cool whip and however many strawberries to your taste.

I have made other flavors as well. Use sprite instead of strawberry pop.