Sunday, June 16, 2013

Father's Day Paella BMoney Style

Anytime I can cook without dirtying every dish in the house is a win for me. Double win if my people actually eat it. Today is one of those days. It is also a yummy recipe that has pulled me out of a recipe rut we have been in here, hence the lack of posts. B is always happy with a hearty savory meal that is also something he can eat. Especially if it is something we haven't had in a while.

During a trip to Central Market, I was inspired to cook up a bit of seafood. Not to mention we live in Seattle where seafood is a plenty. They have an excellent selection of fresh and frozen seafood. We bought some smoked salmon and apples, from the deli, to snack on while dinner was cooking.

I made this dinner in the the rice cooker, you could very easily make it in one pot on the stove if you choose. Adding everything to one large sauce pan, covering and cooking for 15 minutes instead of the rice cooker.

1 Cup Uncooked Quinoa
1/4 Cup Pomi Diced tomatoes
1 1/2 Cup Home Basics Chicken Broth
1 Medium Diced Onion
2 Minced Garlic Cloves
1/2 Cup Diced Bell Pepper (I used a frozen tri color mix I always keep on hand)
1/2 lb Chicken Italian Sausage Uncased (you can also use andouille sausage or chorizo for more heat or flavor - sliced or cut into bite size pieces)
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Saffron
1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 Cup Shrimp Meat (I bought frozen because it was on sale)
1 Cup Bay Scallops (I like the little ones for this kind of recipe)
1 - TBSP Olive Oil

In your rice cooker add the quinoa, tomatoes and chicken broth.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet, saute the onion and garlic until translucent. Add the bell pepper and cook until tender. Add this mix to the rice cooker with the quinoa mix.

Saute the sausage until cooked. Add this to the rice cooker.

Add the salt, saffron, cumin, italian seasoning to the quinoa in the rice cooker and give everything a stir to mix it together.

Add the shrimp and scallops to the top of the mix, close the rice cooker and turn it on. I have an Aroma® Rice Cooker and I use the "White Rice" setting.

You could use some red pepper flakes or a spicier sausage if your family can handle the heat. I let my husband add that to his own after.

When your rice cooker is done, so is your yummy dinner!