Mardi Gras was yesterday, and while I wanted to be the cool mom that has everything organized and planned... I just wasn't. To be honest, I didn't realize it was Mardi Gras until the morning of, while I was watching the news. My first thought was to make King Cake - that purple, green and yellow sugar icing cake I always see pictures of. But since I'm trying to LOSE weight, not gain it, I opted for another dish.
Enter: Gumbo. (Disclaimer: I was born and raised in Orange County, CA and the only time I've been to the South was in high school for a show choir competition when we went to Tennessee.) So needless to say, I've never had gumbo. Never had true Southern food. (Unless Lucille's BBQ counts...does it?)
Like I said, I'm in the process, or have been in the process my whole life, of trying to lose weight. So, I looked up several gumbo recipes, modified them to my particular tastes and preferences, and came up with a fairly delicious gumbo!
Lighter Gumbo
Serves 4+
1 3.5oz boil-in-bag rice
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped celery
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken breast
8oz turkey kielbasa, cut into 1" coins
1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes (with or without green chiles)
14.5oz fat free, sodium-free chicken broth
Cook rice according to package directions, set aside.
While rice cooks, combine flour and oil in a large pot. Saute over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook 3 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently.
Add chicken, kielbasa, tomatoes, and broth. Cook 6 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve over rice.
Voila! You've earned yourself some Mardi Gras beads sans embarrassment! :)
What are some of your favorite Southern recipes?
