Apricot and Orange Pecan Bread

Make loaves of this and gift one to a friend ......

https://food52.com/recipes/31731-apricot-and-orange-pecan-bread

Cajun Chicken Stew

Not quite gumbo but a nice comforting slightly spicy Cajun stew....

Serves 4

1  1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut in 1 1/2 inch pieces
3 tsps of your favorite Creole/Cajun seasoning(divided)*
2 Tbl vegetable oil
4 ounces andouille sausage cut into a small dice
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cloves minced garlic
2 heaping tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded, cored a finely diced
Cooked rice for serving


Season the chicken thigh pieces with 1 tsp of the Creole seasoning.
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or stew pot and then brown the chicken pieces a bit.Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Add the diced sausage to the pot and sauté over medium heat.  Once the sausage starts rendering some of it fat, add the onion, green pepper and celery. Saute until softened.  Add the garlic and sauté a minute or two more.
Now stir in two teaspoons  of the creole seasoning along with the flour and sauté for just a couple of minutes.
Stir in the chicken broth and the chicken pieces and bring up to a boil and then down to a simmer.  Simmer, partially covered for 15 minutes. Stir in the green onion, parsley and tomato and simmer five minutes more.  Serve over cooked rice.

Go here for a homemade Creole/Cajun seasoning:
http://inpatskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/red-beans-and-rice.html

Sesame Orange Glazed Broccoli and Water Chestnuts

Try this orange and sesame flavored broccoli side the next time you roast salmon...sweet and tangy!

https://food52.com/recipes/31253-orange-sesame-glazed-broccoli-and-water-chestnuts

Thick Like Stew Cabbage, Bean and Sausage Soup

It's cool and rainy here, so I thought for dinner, soup would be in order.  Maybe I got carried away, but this one is thick with beans and vegetables, along with a little Italian sausage.  Dinner tonight and lunch for a few days....

Makes about 6 quarts

1 pound white beans, soaked overnight and then simmered for about 45 minutes in plain water until done
1 pound Italian sausage links, baked in a 350F oven for 20 minutes
2 Tbl olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves minced garlic
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
One very large carrot, sliced into thin rounds
One very large potato, peeled and diced
10 cups chicken broth
1/2 head cabbage, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large soup pot, warm the olive oil and add the onions and garlic.  Saute until soft.
Slice the baked Italian sausage into rounds, add them to the pot along with the crushed red pepper flakes.  Saute for about 4 to 5 minutes.
Add the sliced carrot and diced potato along with the chicken broth.  Bring up to a boil and then simmer for about 15 minutes.
Add the cooked white beans.
Stir in the chopped cabbage and simmer until wilted.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.