Quick One Pot Meal for the Overworked Mom

This lazy Sunday, I realized at about 5 that I needed to start getting dinner together. I was in the middle of several projects and cleaning, so I wanted something quick and easy and only one dish to clean. I rummaged through our pantry and fridge with nothing really jumping out at me. Then, I saw the Loaded Potato Casserole box.  It sounded awesome to me, but it was only a side dish.  Hmmm, what can I make for the main part of the meal? I was almost to the point of saying we were having cereal....

Reluctant to eat cereal, I kept staring at the box of Loaded Potato Casserole.

 

What to do? What to do? Then, I had a thought.  Why not make the Loaded Potato Casserole the main dish! Genius, right? So, what to add to it? I need some veggies and meat. I rummaged through my fridge again finding some frozen veggies and barbeque (recipe here).  Once I found the barbeque, I knew I was good to go! I also found some sliced tomato and red onion from hamburgers the night before.

Mixture of  frozen veggies 

Frozen chopped cnion (always something to have on hand!)

My frozen left over barbeque from the recipe above

NOTE: You can add/subtract as many ingredients as you would like. The recipe is VERY versatile.  If you would prefer chicken, then use chicken. If you have onion haters, then don't use the onion. The possibilities are endless. :)

After I gathered all of my ingredients, I sort of followed the instructions on the box, but with some minor changes.  I melted the butter 2 Tbls) in the pan and sauteed my frozen onions, chopped red onion, and chopped tomatoes. I then added the hot water (1 3/4c), milk (1/4c ? Sorry going off memory!), and sauce mix from the box.  I stirred everything together and then added my frozen veggies and the potatoes from the box.

This is what it looks like up to this point.

While everything is bubbling away, I throw my frozen barbeque into the microwave for 1 minute to thaw. I let the pan cook for about 8 minutes and then added my thawed barbeque.  Slowly and gently fold everything together to avoid breaking and smushing the potato slices. :) Let it cook for 5 more minutes.

Looks yummy!

At this point, you can dig right in. One pot and quick and easy meal as promised, but I was wanting/needing something more...something on top... Cheese!  So, I decided to throw it in a casserole dish and slice up some block sharp cheddar cheese and smother it! 

Pre-smothered :)

I turned my oven to broil and threw it in there until the cheese was melted and was turning a golden brown. Yum!

Post-smothered and ooey gooey goodness!

  

Once it cooled slightly, I spooned it on our plates with a dollop of sour cream and a salad.  It was DELISH!  It tasted like a stuffed barbeque potato!  My husband and toddler loved loved loved it and so did I. :)  I will definitely write this down for lazy days!

Have this with a simple side salad and you are set.

From start to finish, it took me about 20 minutes to throw together.  It was very easy and tasted very good. It is a picky eater pleaser for sure! We had no leftovers :) 

Enjoy!

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A Lazy Sunday Afternoon, Perfect for Gumbo

My first blog post!  I figured why not start today.  It's a lazy Sunday on a beautiful fall afternoon.  I decided to try my hand at Gumbo today.  Warning: I've never made this before!

I woke up yesterday craving something cajun, spicy, seafoody, and stew-ish.  Hmmmm, what to make?  Gumbo and jumbalaya came to my mind, but which one?  What is the difference between the two?  After some "research", I figured out that gumbo is more of a stew/soup based dish and jambalaya is a rice based dish.

So, gumbo it was.  I was trying to find a tomato based recipe like some gumbo we had at the beach a few years ago.  However, that hit the back burner when I found a slow cooker gumbo recipe.  Having babies, cleaning chores, and other projects to work on, I jumped on the quick and easy recipe!  I figured we could test it out and then adjust the recipe the next time.

Here's the link: Southern Living's Shrimp-and-Sausage Gumbo

It's from Southern Living, so it has to be good, right? :) 

Picture from myrecipes.com recipe page.  Link above.

I did make some modifications already,naturally.....  That's just how I am.  First off, the first step required way to much work of the oven, more dishes to clean, etc.  too much for a busy mom.  So, I skipped that step, cooked the smoked Cajun andouille sausage, and then removed the sausage from the pan and placed it in the crockpot. Note: do NOT drain the sausage on the paper towel.

Pictured above is the sausage that I used.  It was what I was looking for and the cheapest!

I kept the fat in the pan and then added the flour to that.  i figured it would give it more flavor.  i cooked it until the flour mixture was darkening to a nice light brown and then whisked in my stock.  Another reason for mixing the flour with the fat was because that would allow it to mix with the stock smoother, no lumps. Also, ONE pan cleanup!  Then, I turned on the crockpot on high and followed the second step.  I did buy the frozen gumbo veggies in the frozen food aisle to save chopping time. I'm all about time saving! The frozen package included onion, bell pepper, okra, corn, tomato, and celery.  I then added a can of chopped tomatoes with garlic and onion, bay leaves, Creole seasoning, crab boil (I added), and thyme.

Some ingredients I had on hand to use.

Once the stock/flour mixture is mixed together, I pour it on top of everything in the crockpot.  Now, wait for 5 1/2 hours.....   Which is extremely hard to do since I'm starving and it smells soon good!

Here's what it looks like minus the shrimp, parsley, and green onions. Mmmm!

After 5 1/2 hours, follow the last part of step 3.  Add the shrimp, parsley, and green onions in and cook 30 more minutes.  I had shrimp that was already cooked, peeled, and deveined on hand. So, I added it  and the green onions (i like them crunchy) 15 minutes after adding the parsley. I bought the frozen shrimp a few weeks ago because they were BOGO at Publix.  I couldn't pass up that deal!

Now, after adding the shrimp and green onions, I cook my rice.  I have to have rice with my gumbo!  So, I pull out my rice cooker, add my rice and water, and press the magic button (start).  15 minutes later, you'll have your gumbo and rice ready to eat!  

Since mine is still cooking, I can't brag on how good it is yet.  ;). But, it is smelling so good! I'll comment on it later.  I have 5 hours to go!

Now, off to some embroidery/appliqué projects! Hope y'all have a great lazy Sunday!

***UPDATE***

The gumbo was EXCELLENT! It was on the spicier side. So, if you want it less spivey use a mild flavored sausage.  Enjoy!

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