SPICY JAMBALAYA SALADS: Fathers' Day Indulgence, Triple Duty: met, fish or vegetarian; with no dairy o

So not run-of-the-mill: a nippy, zippy gorgeously moist salad of Classic Jambalaya (vegetarian version below)... 

Perfect for Fathers' Day: salad of Classic Jambalaya with rice, seafood and meat, and loads of vegetables  

'I was a bit iffy about cold jambalaya but it was really fantastic.' Taster

Jambalaya, a popular highly seasoned rice dish from the deep south of the United States, is normally a hot dish but...hey, it's summer!  And also, this one from 67goingon50 is designed for a Fathers' Day celebration.  In June.  

It's one of the blog's popular Triple Duty dishes, with a vegan base and a choice of meat, fish or vegetarian/vegan protein.  All three versions can be made from one base.  Or choose one version or two, divide the base accordingly and add preferred protein in the appropriate weight.  

Jambalaya is a true multi-cultural dish, influenced by West African, French, Spanish and Native American cuisine.  

Classic jambalaya includes bell peppers, celery, spices and tomato.  Protein is usually pork/bacon (these days also chicken), smoked sausage and seafood.  But like its Spanish sister, paella, Jambalaya is for all budgets...stick to one protein or avoid them altogether and just add lots of vegetables.  

67's Jambalaya Salad starts the day before it's needed and does take a bit of work.  But it's so worth it! It's perfect for a family gathering; get the best chefs into the kitchen and have a good natter while putting it all together!

Cost: depends on what's in your fridge but say, £10-12 if starting from scratch (Cut costs by using leftovers and taking advantage of M&S 3-for £??? offers on deli pots of artichoke hearts, sunblush tomatoes, olivesf or  prawns, calamari, antipasti - )

Serves: a crowd

Ingredients: 

   1.5 cups raw brown rice

 Jambalaya Sauce  

   1 tb olive oil

   1 large onion, pref sweet

   2 med cloves garlic

   1 large bell pepper

   2 large sticks peeled celery

   3 tb parsley

   3/4 cup fresh corn

   50gm/2oz finely chopped mushrooms 

   large bay leaf

   1 tsp cayenne pepper OR 1.5 tsp chilli flakes (67 tested M&S adobe chilli flakes which added a lovely layer of smoky heat)

   2x400gm28oz tins tomatoes

   90gm/3.7oz smoked* or regular tomato paste (67 tested M&S smoked tomato paste which heightened interest; you may need more paste with other brands)

    Tabasco or other hot sauce (opt) 

   

The following amounts are for the full amount of the base; divide - or not - according to choice

CLASSIC JAMBALAYA SALAD: 

SKINNIER HEALTHIER 2-POTATO IRISH MASH: frugal, make-head, easy, no dairy option, vegan option

A healthier twist on Champ, the popular Irish mash -- smooth, creamy & piquant

updated Mar 2025; first posted  Aug 2016

Much more sophisticated and nicer than Bubble 'n Squeak!

photo  13.10.2019

The carb-conscious should save up their weekly carb intake for this one; it's worth it.

Rich, light and smooth, flecked with tender spring onions, this champ - adapted from the Irish - is so much nicer than bubble & squeak.  

It is also healthier.  Sweet potatoes slow down carb release and add gorgeous colour to the usual potato mash.  0-fat yoghurt replaces some full-fat milk.  

Prep is made easier by baking the potatoes then peeling & mashing them.  It's a perfect make-ahead dish -- it'll keep warm over boiling water.  Reheating is a doddle in an oven,  steamer or microwave. 

  
67's champ is lovely for breakfast with eggs and crisply fried shredded ham or pastrami/spiced beef.  It's also suitable for a budget-friendly main course, alongside beef brisket or meatloaf OR pork or ham. 

For a frugal meal, mix in shards of leftover meat, tuna or smoked mackerel, bake in a moderate oven and serve with vegetables or salad. 

Cost:  £3'ish plus cost of any meat or animal protein
Feeds: 2-3

Ingred:
   1/2 kilo baking potatoes, rinsed & halved vertically (usually 2)
   1/2 kilo sweet potatoes, with blemishes removed, in similar sizes to potatoes
    1-2 oz/25-50 gm butter (dairy or plant)
    1 small bunch spring onions, finely chopped    
    150 ml diary or plant milk
    100 ml 0-ft dairy or plant yoghurt (67 uses goats yoghurt)
     1/2-1 tsp salt

Method:

1. Bake potatoes naked, not wrapped in foil, at 400f/200c/180fan 30-45 mins
2. Heat milk until bubbles appear around the edges of the pan; take off heat and add a third to a half the spring onions; leave 5 mins then whisk in the yoghurt; set aside
3. When potatoes are done, peel; cut off any crusty bits; place flesh in large bowl
4. Add butter & salt; mash by hand or break down with with electric beaters on slow until no lumps remain - don't overbeat; the potatoes will turn into glue 
5. Little by little, add warm milk & onions to potatoes, whisking by hand until just before they get sloppy (67 used 4/5 of the milk); you're looking for smooth, light and creamy mash; stir in the remaining spring onions to taste (67 used almost all of them) 
6. Serve immediately or refrigerate overnight in a heatproof bowl/baking dish
7. When reheating the champ, remove from fridge half an hour beforehand to allow to come to room temperature 
8. Reheating on the hob: place the bowl of champ on top of but not touching bring a deep saucepan of boiling water; cover with a lid or foil, reduce heat to medium high; every ten minutes, stir, bringing the warm champ at the bottom up to the top until potato is heated through; check seasoning; add more salt & pepper if needed
9. Turn heat to low; keep covered until ready to serve.  
10. Reheating in the oven: preheat the oven to 180c/350f; bake 20-30 mins; leave the champ uncovered for a crispy top 
11. Serve with extra butter 

Comments:
'The great thing about the Two-potato Champ was its simplicity. I love mash; the addition of sweet potato and the easy preparation made a lovely change to one of my favourite meals.'  Middle-aged political agent

Tips:

• For individual champ cakes, reduce the amount of liquid by 1/4, form into patties and shallow fry in oil until crispy
• To save fuel while baking the potatoes, use the oven for something else (granola, cake) 

More vegetarian on NavBar: Recipes II

Please leave a comment in the box below

This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission. 

SALMON NICOISE PLATTER, lower salt & fat, high fibre, wallet-friendly

Beguiling on the plate: a lighter, subtler lower-salt version of Tuna Nicoise but no less tasty ...

                                                                                                                                          updated July 2022; first posted 2016

Summer's Delight: Salmon Nicoise Salad, diet friendly

Salmon Nicoise Salad is is lower in salt than Tuna Nicoise.  It has no olives (unless you want them) or anchovies, but delicious marinated bell peppers, sun-blush tomatoes and artichoke hearts add a sassy piquancy.  Creamy low-fat dressing perfectly complements the dense, moist flakes of salmon.

As well as being healthy, the salad can be wallet-friendly.  67 used frozen wild salmon* but when pockets are deep will splurge on conservation-grade farmed salmon from Norway**.

67 made the marinaded bell peppers from scratch - quite easily (See no. 2 in method) - but M&S now includes them in their 3 for £8 deli offers.   Jarred pepper (not tested by 67) will do but will cost more.  The artichoke hearts and sun-blush  tomatoes were purchased on the 3-fer deal at M&S (usually £3+ each) but making your own roasted tomatoes is easy and inexpensive. 

If serving at a picnic, either pack the ingredients separately and assemble on site, or prepare the platter in advance, wrap well in clingfilm and put the dressing in an airtight container.

Cost:  min £6
Feeds: 2-3 but easily multiplies

Ingred:
   2 salmon fillets
   200 gm/8 oz new, or waxy, potato
   1 bell pepper, red or orange OR half of each colour
   2 hard boiled eggs
   8 raw baby tomatoes or 3 large
   100 gm/4 oz green beans
   2 generous tablespoons artichoke hearts
   2 generous tablespoons sun-blush  tomatoes

Method:

1. Make dressing; set aside
2. Grill whole pepper, turning frequently, until blackened. (The 67 grill took nearly half an hour; the 67 air fryer the same time.)  Place in a deep bowl, cover with cling film.  Leave for half an hour.  When cool, remove skin, stem and seeds.  Cut in 1/4 inch/1/2 cm slices.  Pour over 2-3 tbsp of dressing; cover and set aside
3. Steam or poach salmon for 10-15 minutes; allow to cool, loosely cover with foil; break into large flakes; set aside
4. Bring a large pot of water to the boils; add new potatoes, cook 10-15 mins until a sharp knife meets a little resistance in the middle (the potatoes carry on cooking) for al dente; or until cooked through
5. Have a bowl of cold/iced water ready.  Take tops off green beans; drop into boiling water for 3-5 mins; remove; place in iced water
6. Place eggs in a pan of water; bring to a boil; turn off heat, cover; leave 6-8 minutes.  Run under cold water.   Roll on a flat surface, pressing down lightly until shells crack and peel easily. Cut eggs into vertical quarters.
7. If using artichoke hearts, cut off fronds bits; store-bought sun-blush tomatoes are improved by removing the skins; if using olives, rinse in cold water to remove some of the salt. 
8. Arrange everything nicely on a platter with raw tomatoes; either serve naked with dressing alongside or drizzle a little dressing over the platter.   

  Creamy Dill Vinaigrette  
     4 tbsp good olive oil  
     1 tbsp lemon juice 
     good pinch salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, pref. coarsely ground
     2 rounded tsp finely chopped dill or 1/2 tsp dried (opt)
     1/2 tsp sugar, honey or maple syrup (opt)
     2-3 tablespoons strained 0-fat yoghurt
     1 tbsp mayo

OR

Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

3 parts good olive oil

1 part lemon juice

1 generous tablespoon wholegrain mustard

1 small clove garlic, grated

good pinch salt; 1/4 tsp pepper

2-3 tablespoons Greek 0-fat yoghurt
1 tbsp mayo (opt)

Pour all ingredients into a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake until thick and blended. Check seasoning.

Marvellous Croutons

You might think croutons are easy but it's the ratio of oil to bread that turns something ordinary into something memorable!

*Iceland or Waitrose

**Whole Foods, Kensington

Comment:

'I love this salad's freshness and the way the individual flavours combine. Today, in - and in between - Lockdown, it's a treat to add wonderful sourdough croutons and amp up the flavour with a few rinsed olives (to remove some of the salt).' (as below)

Olives and memorable croutons
replace artichoke hearts & sun-blush tomatoes

                                                           More fish on NavBar: Recipes 1/Fish 

Please leave a Comment in the box below 

This recipe  has been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.