Slow in Love

One of the things that I got for Christmas was a slow cooker. I really wanted one.  My Heart's Desire fears that it will burn down our house but I have no such fear.  It immediately became a kitchen favorite!  Easy and delicious, what else does a soon-to-be-working mom need?

I've made about eight different things in it by now and some have been great and others have been not great.  Still, we haven't had to order pizza even with the flops.

My favorite thing so far has been Slow Cooker Jambalaya.  Real Jambalaya has shrimp and other delights from the sea.  Mine does not.  When I was pregnant with Babyface, I had an allergic reaction to shellfish and I am scared to eat it now.  Anyway, feel free to add some cooked shrimp at the end if you like.

Slow Cooker Jambalaya
1lb of chicken breasts or strips, cut into one-inch pieces
1/3 or 1/2 of turkey kielbasa, cut into one-inch pieces
2 green peppers, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
4 celery ribs, chopped
3 oz tomato paste
1 can beef broth
1 can small red beans
1 T parsley
1 1/2 t basil
1/2 t oregano
1 t Tabasco
1/2 t cayenne pepper
1/2 t salt
3 cups cooked rice (I used the rice cooker)

Toss all ingredients except rice into the slow cooker.  Cook on low for six hours.  If you want to add cooked shrimp, put in for the last 20 minutes or so.  Pour over rice and serve.  Voila!  My Heart's Desire liked it too.