This week promises to be an eventful and emotional week.My baby boy turns ten. TEN.
My Marine son will be home for a week with his brothers. (That has not happened in several months.)
My Airman son comes home for a visit, then deploys for six months.
Sigh.
And the troops have to eat, so here's the plan.
Sunday~ family cookout to celebrate son #3's birthday. His request: steak on the grill, baked potatoes, tossed salad, rolls, and cupcakes for dessert.
Monday~ Jambalaya (recipe below), salad, rolls
Tuesday~ Beef tips & gravy, egg noodles
Wednesday~ another family cookout to see all THREE boys at the same time: burgers & dogs on the grill, mac'n'cheese, baked beans.
Thursday~ FFYS. Boys going to an out-of-town ballgame; son #2 flies back to base; Mom has a late rehearsal.
Friday~ either spaghetti or pancakes :)
Saturday~ probably a trip to our local fair, so lots of fattening fair food!
Jambalaya:
(A friend gave me this recipe years ago - I'm sorry that I don't know where she got it, but I can tell you it's super easy and tasty!)
Make this mix ahead and store it (or gift it) in jars, or assemble ingredients when you decide to make the dish.
*1 cup uncooked rice
*1 Tbsp onion (you can use powder but I like to used diced onion. If making a mix, use dried onion flakes.)
*1 Tbsp green pepper flakes (you can also use fresh if you're not making the mix)
*1 Tbsp dried parsley
*1 Bay leaf
*2 tsp beef bouillon
*1/2 tsp garlic powder
*1/2 tsp pepper
*1/4 tsp thyme (I like thyme, so I use a little more)
*1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Combine all dry ingredients and store.
To prepare:
Bring mix along 3 cups water and 8 ounces tomato sauce to boil in dutch oven. Stir in 1 cup chopped cooked chicken and 1 cup chopped cooked ham (or whatever meats your family likes - I like to use turkey kielbasa). Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Remove bay leaf and serve.
If you use dry ingredients, this is a nice gift with a can of tomato sauce attached; the recipient just adds water and meats of choice. Call it "Dinner In A Hurry". Add a roll mix in a basket with the jambalaya for the whole package!
