Recipe Swap~ One Pot Meal

So, this week's recipe swap is all about time-saving, good one pot meals! I gave in my Stovetop Stuffed Peppers & received this Chicken Gumbo recipe from Melissa (Carimeli)over at Delicious Meliscious. I was trepidatious because I can't really "do spice" with my ulcers & crohns disease but thought, well, I'll give it a go for my hubby & just not eat the spicy sausage. More problems occurred when I went grocery shopping & couldn't find andouille sausage. Well, that combined with the fact that my hubby does not like rotisserie chicken either just kept adding to my apprehension. I ended up using spicy chicken sausage & sauteing it, sliced, along with boneless chicken breast slices... taking them out of the pot, then following the recipe... a half-assed, fake gumbo but yummy one-pot meal, none-the-less ;) Follow the recipe for happiness, lol! Thanks, Melissa!

<3 Lishie

Half-Hour Chicken Gumbo 

Martha Stewart via Delicious Melisicous

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 red bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen, cut okra
• 8 ounces smoked (precooked) andouille sausage, sliced 1 inch thick
• 1 rotisserie chicken (about 2 1/2 pounds), skin and bones removed, meat shredded

In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil over medium. Add flour, & cook, whisking constantly, until pale golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in bell peppers, onion, garlic, & oregano; season with S & P. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

Add 4 cups water; stir in okra and sausage. Bring to a boil. Stir in shredded chicken, & warm through, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with S & P, to taste.

Okra Stew

OK, I do not hear too much about okra in NJ... it's one of "those foods" like grits... People in the NE seem to fear it... They say, "It's too slimy". and, I agree, if not done well, it can be slimy- Not too appealing sounding. But when made right, it is so tasty & another healthy, great side option.

Or a hearty, ratatouille-like, vegetarian meal. The okra & tomatoes blend together into a rich flavor & there are no worries about that rumored slime.

Okra is one of those greens that is so good for you. Learn to love it & it will supply you with Vitamin B6 & folic acid.

Okra Stew

• 2 cups Okra, trimmed & cut into pieces
• 2 TBSp Cornmeal
• 2 TBSp Butter
• 1-2 cups Corn, fresh or frozen
• 1, 14 oz. can diced Tomatoes
• 1 cup Water
• S & P

In a large bowl, coat the okra with the cornmeal. 


Melt the butter on Medium-High in a large skillet. Add the okra in & brown in on all sides... Add in the corn, tomatoes & water, S&P... Bring to a simmer, then turn down the heat to Low/ Medium-Low. Cook until the sauce is thick, reduced down, about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.


*Lishie tip- Try something NEW today! Be adventurous :)