Shrimp Jambalaya

Lately, I have found a lot of new Southern food restaurant opened up in Seattle.  I can see why people like Southern food, they are delicious and mostly comfort food.  Jambalaya will be a good example, rice with a delicious sauce, perfect for cold days!

 

Ingredients 

*1 tablespoon canola oil 

*6 ounces andouille sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick pieces 

*1 medium onion, diced 

*1 bell pepper, cubbed

*3 celery stalks, diced 

*2 garlic cloves, minced 

*Coarse salt and ground pepper 

*2 teaspoons paprika 

*8 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped 

*1 cup long-grain white rice 

*1 pound medium shrimp (about 30), peeled, deveined, and tails removed 

*1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions, for garnish

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage; cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, 4 to 6 minutes. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in paprika; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Add tomatoes, rice, and 3 cups water to skillet; cover, and simmer over medium heat until rice is cooked and has absorbed all water, about 15 minutes.
3. Add shrimp to skillet, and cook, covered, until shrimp are opaque throughout, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat; season with salt and pepper, as desired. Serve hot, garnished with scallions.

Black Bean Burgers with Mango Salsa

I am a big meat eater, but this black bean burger was so easy to make and very delicious.  I got the ciabatta bread for the burger for a twist.  If you want to make a mini-version, you can also use dinner rolls.

Ingredients

*2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained 

*3/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, divided

*3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese 

*1/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) 

*2 teaspoons ground cumin 

*1 teaspoon dried oregano 

*1/2 teaspoon sea salt 

*1/2 medium jalapeño pepper, finely chopped 

*2 large egg whites 

*Cooking spray

*1 1/4 cups chopped peeled mango (about 1 medium)

*3 tablespoons chopped shallots

*1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

*1 avocado, peeled and chopped 

*1 garlic clove, minced

*6 ciabatta bread, lightly toasted
*6 green leaf lettuce leaves

Direction

1. Preheat oven to 350°

2. Place black beans in a medium bowl; mash with a fork. Stir in 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro and the next 7 ingredients (through egg whites). Shape bean mixture into 6 (1/2-inch-thick) patties. Arrange patties on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes, carefully turning once.

3. Combine remaining 1/4 cup cilantro, mango, and the next 4 ingredients (through minced garlic) in a medium bowl. Place a patty on bottom half of each hamburger bun; top each with 1 lettuce leaf, 1/3 cup salsa, and top half of bun.