Jambalaya and Fried Zucchini ($10 or Less Meal)

This jambalaya recipe is easy and versatile. If you don’t like the proteins I use, it’s simple enough to change it up to what you or your family likes. I used Hillshire Farm sausage (that I got on sale at Safeway on a $5.00 Friday deal) and shrimp that was on sale. You can easily substitute chicken thighs or breast, add clams or any type of whitefish…whatever you like or what’s on sale. Most of the work is in the prep, and then once that’s done, it pretty much cooks itself. The longer it sits in the fridge, it seems like it gets spicier. My husband ate this on a Wednesday and then had leftovers on Friday and he said it was definitely spicier! The entire meal came in at about $8.00 (for the jambalaya, jambalaya mix and fried zucchini).

JAMBALAYA

I’m a huge Paula Deen fan (sometimes I alter the recipe a bit)…got this recipe from the Food Network based on a Paula Deen recipe.

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Serves: 4 for approx $6.7 (for us, it made about 6 servings)

Ingredients:

• Jambalaya Mix (recipe follows)
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 – 1 lb fully cooked smoked sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices (I used Hillshire Farms about 3/4 lb)
• 1/2 to 3/4 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (I used 1/2 lb shrimp)

Directions:

In a Dutch oven, combine jambalaya mix, water, tomatoes, tomato sauce and smoked sausage. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until shrimp are pink.

JAMBALAYA MIX:

This looks like a lot of ingredients but it’s mostly spices you probably already have in your pantry. Make sure you use long-grain rice and NOT instant rice. It makes a huge difference! If you’re on a really tight budget, King Soopers has a variety of Kroger brand Value spices for $1.00 each.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 3 tablespoons dried minced onion
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 cup beef broth (in the original recipe it calls for 1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules-I used broth because I had it)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 bay leaf

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine rice, onion, parsley, beef broth, thyme, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt and bay leaf.

FRIED ZUCCHINI-

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4 for approx $1.00

Ingredients:

• 2 zucchini
• 1/8 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Wash and dry zucchini. Trim off the ends and slice into 1/8 inch thick rounds. Place the cornmeal in medium bowl or shallow platter and toss in zucchini slices, coating all the pieces.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skilled over medium heat. Place all of the zucchini pieces into the hot oil and fry over medium heat. When the zucchini is golden brown, flip and brown other side. You may need to add more oil as you cook. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.