New Recipe

I have always wanted to make a paella, but Brian doesn't really like fish and that is one of the big ingredients in paella. So, I found this recipe on www.familyfun.com that has no fish!
Chicken and Sausage Paella

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 whole chicken cut into 8 pieces, or 4 legs and 4 thighs
salt and pepper
16 oz. sausage (chorizo or kielbasa) cut into half moon slices
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups multi-grain rice
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
pinch of saffron
1 cup seeded and chopped tomato
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup frozen peas

Heat the oven to 400. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then place it in the skillet to brown, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. If needed, work in batches so the skillet isn't overcrowded.

Transfer the browned chicken to a plate. Add the sausage to the pan and satue until lightly browned, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the sausage to the plate with the chicken.

Drain all but 1 Tablespoon of fat from the pan. Lower the heat to medium, add the onion, red pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes. Add the rice, cumin, salt and saffron. Stir to coat the rice and cook for about 1 minute.

Transfer the rice and vegetable mixture to an oiled 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange the chicken and sausage on the rice and scatter the tomato over the top. Place the pan on the center oven rack and carefully pour the chicken stoc over the meat and rice. Bake for 25 minutes.

Sprinkle the peas on top and cook until the liquid had been absorbed, another 10 to 15 minutes. Let the paella cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Okay, here's how I changed it a bit: I used kielbasa and 8 boneless skinless thighs. I did not used the red bell pepper, those are a little pricey. I also did not use the tomato, just didn't want to take the chance with salmonella. Instead of the rice and saffron seperatly, I used a saffron rice packet. You can find those with the regular rice. The next time I make this I will cut the recipe in half, it just made too much for us. If you want to eat it for a couple of days, then make the full recipe. We liked it and I was excited to find a new recipe. It took about an hour from start to finish to make, because you have to brown and saute things seperatly.

On Wednesday, I saw a quote on www.jimmybritt.com that really made me think, "Life is what happens in between the plans we make." Think about how much fun life is with the spontaneous things that happen to us, things that are not planned at all. I have the most fun with Brian and the kids when we are spontaneous. Now, I am a very planned out person. I could plan the next 6 weeks of my life and would be very happy. But the unplanned things that happen is what really makes us closer as a family and where we have the most fun.