Spanish Rice with Chorizo

I don't do a lot of cooking with boxed products. However, when they are on sale I pick up one or two to have in the pantry. Some nights when you get home, you just don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen but you do want a yummy meal. This is one of those dishes.

• 1 box Zatarain's Spanish Rice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 can (14 1/2 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes (do not drain)
• 1 tablespoon Earth Balance vegan spread
• 3 Field Roast Chorizo sausages, cut into 1/2 moons

Mix the water, tomatoes, rice mix and Earth balance in a 2-quart saucepan until well blended. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 25 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

While the rice is cooking saute the sausages in a tiny bit of oil. When brown, set aside.

When the rice is ready, dump the sausages in and give it all a good stir.

Serve with hot sauce if desired.

Fresh Pico

Tomatoes are really coming in and my jalapenos are doing amazing. So, it's time for fresh pico. This is so easy, I prefer to chop it all by hand so I have control over the size of the diced. You can use a food processor, but be sure to pulse not actually turn on. It will turn to soup.

• 2 medium tomatoes, diced small 
• 1 small red onion, diced small  (mine was large I only used about 1/2 or less)
• 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, diced small
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

These are the blurry pics of my small diced tomatoes.

Add all ingredients to a medium-sized bowl.

Give it a good toss. Enjoy!!

Sauteed Squash & Veggies

Yummy! I decided to use some of my fresh veggies and toss them with a little olive oil, garlic, and seasonings for dinner. I served this with Gardein Crabless Cakes (I love those).

• 2 small to medium sized zucchini, sliced into half moons
• 1 yellow squash, sliced into half moons
• 1/2 Vidalia onion, sliced into half moons
• 3/4 orange bell pepper, sliced
• 1 large handful of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 3-4 cloves garlic, sliced
• seasonings (salt, pepper and whatever you like)

Add a good splash of olive oil to a large non-stick skillet. Once warm toss in all the veggies, except the garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 7-8 minutes.

Then I added this seasoning that was a Christmas gift from my lovely friend, Michelle. I used about 1 tablespoon and add the sliced garlic. This is very flavorful and not overly hot.

Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are done, but still hold their shape. Do not overcook it.

Enjoy!