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Cajun Inspired Jambalaya Nachos with Kielbasa, Rice, Peppers & Pickled Okra

An Irresistible Take on Layered Nachos
March 6, 2017
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Appetizers & Sides

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Last week I shared my must-try One Pot Cajun Jambalaya, which I hope you’ve had a chance to try.  The recipe left me for an itch for more jambalaya, and I began to brainstorm a few ways I could make it happen.  By now you know about my love for great layered nachos (I take the art of layering very, very seriously as you can see in my vegetarian queso nachos, vegetarian breakfast nachos, and sweet potato nachos), so you won’t be surprised with what’s on the lineup today.

Friends, today I give you my Cajun Inspired Jambalaya Nachos.  Here I stacked layers of tortilla chips with savory Kielbasa sausage, white rice, green and red peppers, and of course ooey-gooey Monterey Jack and mild cheddar cheese.  To top it all off (and I’m quite proud of this addition), I included spicy pickled okra wheels in place of traditional jalapenos.  

The beauty of this recipe, of course like all of my nachos, is in the layering and by cooking each relative ingredient separately before layering. Check out the step-by-step tutorial in the recipe below, and tell me if you’re going to be enjoying these anytime soon!  Truly, MKR 

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Jambalaya Nachos

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Serving Size: 4-6

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb. of shrimp, peeled & deveined
  • 1 large chicken breast, cooked & shredded shredded
  • 1 package sausage or turkey kielbasa, sliced
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • 1 red pepper, chopped
  • 1 small diced tomatoes
  • 1-2 cups vegetable stock (with ratio to liquid for the rice)
  • 3-4 cups of cheese (I used a mix of Monterrey Jack and Mild Cheddar)
  • Tortilla chips
  • Pickled spicy okra, diced and set aside for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sautee the shrimp and kielbasa separately, each with Slap Yo Mama or Old Bay Seasoning. Once cooked, set aside.
  2. To cook the rice, use half of the diced tomatoes along with the rest vegetable stock (to make the ratio of liquid:rice). This will keep the rice from getting soupy or soggy on the nachos.
  3. Spread the tortilla chips evenly on the pan. Layer first with spoonfulls of rice, 1/2 of your peppers, and cheese.
  4. Next layer the cooked kielbasa, shrimp and chicken and then add remaining cheese, spread evenly.
  5. Broil or bake until the cheese melts (less than 5 minutes).
  6. Remove the nachos from the oven and garnish with the rest of your red and green peppers and hot pickled okra.
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One Pot Cajun Jamabalaya with Okra, Chicken, Kielbasa & Shrimp

A Creole-inspired dish that's sure to be a crowd pleaser
February 28, 2017
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Food

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Blog-Jamabalaya-Recipe Blog-Jambalaya

Only recently did I take a stab at making homemade jambalaya, which honestly surprised even myself.  I mean, I love me some spice, and a good bowl of spicy, Creole-inspired meat and rice has never been known to disappoint at a restaurant or friends’ place.  So ever since we got back from our recent trip to Louisiana (seen here and here), I’ve been inspired to put my own spin on the dish.

So, as you may be aware, there are a LOT of ways to make jambalaya.  In all seriousness, I looked at 10 different recipes before deciding my plan of action with my own dish.  I ended up pulling pieces of several recipes, deciding what I really wanted in mine, and man…it was FIRE. 

This one-pot meal serves about 8-10 servings, and is a true crowd-pleaser that brings ’em back for more.  Made entirely in my dutch oven, it’s one of those recipes that you build upon, and it’s one you can crank up the spice level a few notches depending on who’s enjoying it.  

Find the full recipe below, but before you do, here are a few noteworthy findings to keep in mind.  If you’re using a high quality sausage, you don’t have to peel the casing. IF it’s good stuff, the casing is made up of animal parts.  It’s only when you use the cheap sausage that you need to remove the peeling (it’s made of gross plastic).  Also, I use frozen organic okra here instead of fresh okra; I’ve found that it actually decreases the okra slime by about 90%…you can thank me later.  Enjoy!  Truly, MKR

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One Pot Jamabalaya

Yield: 8-10

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white rice
  • 1 lb Shrimp, peeled and deviened and tailed off
  • 1 package of smoked turkey kielbasa, cut into rounds
  • 1 package of sausage kielbasa, cut into 1" rounds
  • 1 large chicken breast, cooked and shredded
  • 1 large can roasted crushed tomatoes
  • 1 box vegetable stock (about 4 cups)
  • 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 large white onion, finely chopped
  • 2 green peppers, chopped in squares
  • 2 red peppers, chopped in squares
  • 1 bag frozen organic okra
  • 1 jalapeno, diced (optional)
  • more vegetable stock just in case to the side
  • Parsley, chopped for garnish
  • 1/4 cup Slap-Yo-Mama seasoning or Old Bay (based on preference)
  • Salt, to taste
  • 6 T olive oil

Instructions

  1. Spray your big dutch oven and coat bottom with olive oil. Be generous.
  2. Heat to a medium/medium high heat.
  3. Start your aromatics; add garlic and onions and cook until translucent.
  4. Add your jalapeno and peppers, cooking for 2-3 minutes. Make sure to stir so they don't stick to bottom of dutch oven.
  5. Add kielbasa, browning it (for an additional 3-5 minutes). It will start sticking, so add additional olive oil and stir.
  6. Add your vegetable stock, can of tomatoes, rice, shrimp and Slap-Ya-Mama seasoning. Bring to a boil.
  7. You MAY need more vegetable stock at this point. Ask yourself if the rice is going to soak up all that liquid.
  8. Turn down heat and bring to simmer. Cover for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  9. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, add in your cooked chicken and frozen okra. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
  10. Remove lid, and if looks good consistency-wise, turn off the heat, keeping it lidded. The rice will continue to cook. If your rice is completely done, you may want to add more vegetable stock to get your preferred consistency.
  11. Garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy!
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Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha

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Making Smarter Snacking Choices

Sharing my newest and healthiest snacking obsession, Pure Growth Organic
February 19, 2017
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Food

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I’m one of those people that will eat an entire bag of chips without even realizing it, (any other “grazers” out there reading this?!)  I actually don’t like to have snacks on hand at home because of that very reason.  So I was recently over-the-moon to find a brand that has less-guilt snack options with all the organic ingredients I can feel good about. 

Enter Pure Growth Organic.  Pure Growth Organic has an incredibly refreshing take on organic eating; it’s affordable, approachable and downright easy.  And not to get too technical but, PGO has no artificial colors or flavors, no MSG and 0g trans fat per serving.  The brand covers all the sweet and savory bases too, and actually makes snackable items that I would want to eat, even if they aren’t on the healthier side.  From chips to popcorn, pretzels, snack mix, animal crackers, breakfast biscuits, bars and oatmeal, there are seriously so many goodies.  My personal favorites are the super chips (pictured here), the animal crackers and the chocolate banana breakfast bars. 

Another reason I’ve been focused on smarter snacking is because of my schedule.  If you’ve been following along, the team and I have been on a string of road trips lately, and having smart snacking options with us was an absolute must.  We had a whole canvas bag filled with PGO snacks which was perfect as we didn’t feel bad noshing in the car between stops (and it helped us all avoid being hangry…cough, cough, Kat).  At home in Atlanta, I’ve been splitting my time between the shoppe, my office at home, and wherever we’re shooting that day, and I’ve found that having these healthy snacks with me in my bag is a life-saver too; sometimes I don’t find the time to eat and just need some quick fuel to be onto the next item on my to-do list.  

One other bonus worth mentioning: the snacks, specifically the super chips, are beautiful.  So next time you’re putting out a crudite, cheese, or dip platter when entertaining think a little outside of the box and grab some PGO super chips!

Word to the wise though: it’s a little harder to find these snacks at your local grocery store, but you can order them online from Walmart and Amazon.  I promise you that they’re worth ordering and trying out, especially if you have little ones at home and are struggling to find a healthy snack-time options.  Truly, MKR

P.S. Check out PGO’s Facebook page and Instagram for more healthy eating inspo. xo 

Photography, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha | This post is in collaboration with Pure Growth Organic, a brand we love and adore.  All opinions are 100% our own. 

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