Tuesday, January 24, 2012

T@tT: Cast Iron Jambalaya

Sometimes a one-pot meal is what I want to put on my table.  Learning about dishes that can come together in one-pot is something I learned on my own in my adult years as my mother never cooked that way.  Her style of cooking was firmly entrenched in the three/four elements separated by space, presented on a plate.   It seemed a time when different foods were not allowed to touch either while cooking or on the plate.  I remember my brother's eating up those different elements one at a time whereas I would take bites of everything without worrying about flavors "marrying" together.  Jambalaya is one of those dishes where I get to taste everything together ~ no segregation of flavors or textures. 

Chicken, Sausage & Shrimp Jambalaya
Two reason's why Jambalaya is so versatile:  the entire meal is cooked in one dish and in my case it's a Cast Iron pan ~ my hand's down favorite pan/pot in my kitchen.  If I were banished to a deserted island, my Cast Iron pan would come with me. The other reason why Jambalaya is so versatile is although everything cooks together (some parts separately at first), if someone doesn't like any one of the proteins, let's say the shrimp, that portion is left out of their bowl.  Makes it easy to serve picky eaters...like my 13 year old.  

There are numerous iterations of Jambalaya all over the internet, mine being from American's Test Kitchen.  If you've never tried Jambalaya, go ahead and type it into your favorite search engine and start looking around.  

I've been sewing a lot the last week or so which has been wonderful - yesterday morning I made the 241 Tote by Anna Graham of Noodlehead that Toni had inspired me with back in early December.  It is a wonderful pattern and I am thrilled at how it turned out.  One bonus - it fits my iPad perfectly without lugging around a huge bag.  
241 Tote
I'm linking up with Debbie from A Quilter's Table for her Tuesday at the Table feature and 
 Fabric Tuesday  at Quilt Story.  

Spring semester begins today so I'll be filling up my backpack, queing up my iPod and walking to campus in a few hours to attend my first class.  I've got two methods class this semester - a lot to sink my teeth into but I'm more than ready for the challenge.  

Happy Tuesday to you all~
Susan
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8 comments:

  1. Debbie January 24, 2012 at 7:10 AM

    We love jambalaya at our house, though never thought to make it in my cast-iron skillet. That's one pan I wish I used more! And what a great bag! I need to try that one of these days. It looks great, Susan!! And good luck starting your new classes!!

    Reply
  2. Jennifer January 24, 2012 at 7:22 AM

    Love the bag! I have that pattern and keep meaning to make one for myself. Love your color selection too!

    Jennifer :)

    Reply
  3. KellyV (Kelly the Fifth) January 24, 2012 at 7:29 AM

    That bag is excellent. I am not sure if you go to Long Beach State, but I remember when my daughter was an art student there, it was easily a twenty minute walk from her carpark to the art department - definitely a good iPod walk. Have a good, good first day.

    Reply
  4. SewHappyGeek January 24, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    Oh wow, I really, really like your bag! Now I want to make one! LOL off to go play with fabrics :)

    Reply
  5. Wacky Woman January 24, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    Yum for your Jambalaya and your bag. Happy school day!

    Reply
  6. Toni January 24, 2012 at 5:22 PM

    Your jambalaya looks great, Susan! We love that dish and I really need to remember to make it more often. I'm a big fan of one dish meals, especially when it comes time to wash dishes! I also rarely remember to use my cast-iron pan, but coincidentally I used it tonight for the first time in probably 6 months. Your 241 looks fabulous and good luck with your classes this semester!

    Reply
  7. Zanymouse January 24, 2012 at 10:00 PM

    I love how your bag came out, so cute! The jambalaya looks like the perfect dish for a rainy day. Yum!

    Reply
  8. Melissa January 26, 2012 at 7:51 AM

    I love one pot meals - your jambalaya looks delish!

    Reply

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