A family crowd pleaser, Crock Pot cooking is simple and easy!
Back to school means moms fall in love with quick and easy dinners that pack in nutrients. In this simple crock pot recipe, chicken and turkey sausage get a flavor pick-me-up from a hint of cajun seasoning, onion, okra, and fresh herbs of thyme and parsley. Shrimp is included in traditional jambalaya. Proteins in this recipe are optional to your liking. Fresh okra naturally thickens this dish which is traditionally served over rice. Here, it’s served over cooked quinoa. Quinoa is a non-grain seed that cooks similarly to rice but in less time! Using quinoa in place of rice adds a touch of fiber, dense nutrients, and provides an extra boost of protein.
Just set the crock pot on low in the morning before you go to work.
Crock Pot Jambalaya is made with quinoa, turkey sausage, chicken, shrimp, okra, and tomatoes. Set it on low in the morning. Enjoy for dinner! When you come home, prepare the quinoa and your family meal is ready. If your work day is a long one, prepare both the quinoa and the jambalaya the day before. Reheat when ready to eat. The flavors will only get richer and tastier if cooked the day before and reheated for dinner time after work.
How to use this recipe for weight loss >>>
This is an ideal recipe for those who want to lose weight and here’s why:
* There are no added oils in this recipe including no butter. No olive oil. The fat comes naturally from the chicken and turkey sausage.
* Lean protein stimulates muscle, builds and repairs muscle which equates to an efficient metabolism.
* Quinoa seeds when cooked become bulbous and are very filling. Eating quinoa with the chicken will keep you feeling full for a couple of hours. This fullness will help stave off cravings.
* Cajun seasoning is spicy which gives an instant boost to your metabolism. If you like spicy foods, add a little more to this recipe. It certainly won’t hurt the flavor.
* Tomatoes and okra contain antioxidants which help protect cells in the body. Protected cells mean slower aging, a body that functions better, and have other positive health benefits such as a strong heart.
* The portion size listed here is for an entree portion and is plenty of food for a meal. If you feel hungry after eating, wait about 15 to 20 minutes before getting another serving. If you do go for another serving, keep it to 1/2 cup portions; literally measure out your food.
Nutrition:
Serving size: 1 cup quinoa with 1 cup jambalaya
Calories: 307.2
Fat: 5.7g
Saturated fat: 1.0g
Carbohydrates: 30.0g
Protein: 33.9g
Fiber: 4.5g
Sodium: 104.3mg
Cholesterol: 75.9mg
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Recipe and photos by Susan Irby
