Randomness, Things I’m listening to and Chutney Chicken One Pot

Hello!

Happy Monday!

So, do you ever have random songs just pop into your head? And, by random, I mean songs you don’t normally hear on the radio. Is that just me?

Well, this morning, out of nowhere – and I really can’t explain it because I spent time watching pre-season football this weekend, NOT children’s shows – came this doozy:

I know. I’m sorry. I should be ashamed of myself. One for the song bomb and two, because I subjected you to Barney!

I’m sorry. Really, I am.

If you only knew how much I am NOT a fan of Barney, you would understand my consternation. Ugh.

Moving on….it’s the only way…..

I love listening to music when I’m cooking or cleaning or just hanging around. I have a wide variety of tastes (see above) but lately, I’ve been reaching for these artists:

1. Amy Winehouse

2. Etta James

3. Ray LaMontagne

If you don’t know who Ray LaMontagne is, you are totally missing out.

4. Liz Longley

Same with Liz Longley. Check her stuff out. You won’t be sorry!

5. Duffy

It seems they’re always in my CD player.

Yes, I still have CDs. I’m old-fashioned. You don’t EVEN want me to tell you about the reel-to-reel player I have! Now, THAT’s old school.

Anyway, if I’m not playing one of those, I’m usually playing some standards or maybe some Ella Fitzgerald.

And, then, while relaxing in my kitchen, I make things like this:

Chutney Chicken One Pot! Click the photo to go to the recipe on my Facebook page!

Chutney Chicken One Pot.

Oh. So. Yummy.

Do you like my ginormous cast iron skillet?

Questions:

1. Do you cook with cast iron?

2. What are you listening to these days? I love suggestions!

3. Can you forgive me for the purple dinosaur?

– jennifer

Hearty Italian Sausage and Potato Skillet

After a long day yesterday of running, work and eating all of the jelly beans on the planet, I was not really in the mood for cooking. But, alas, I was actually hungry as were the rest of my brood so, I had to cook.

Now, let’s pause for a second and talk about those jelly beans. Why must I feel like I need to eat the entire bag? *sigh* Thank goodness I didn’t but Easter and Halloween really bring out my sweet tooth. You’d think I would know better than to buy a bag of something I can’t resist (jelly beans, mellowcream pumpkins, candy corn) but, somehow, I always end up with a bag on the conveyor and, Whoops! Just paid for it. So, of course I have to eat them.  It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t.  I mean, can’t let a perfectly good *insert candy type here* go to waste, right? 🙂

But, I digress.  Dinner.  Cooking.  So, I had some Aidell’s Chicken Sausage (Italian Style with Mozzarella Cheese) and I needed something to do with it.  I frequently cook the sausage and add it to pasta sauce or I’ll just saute some peppers and serve the sausages with the peppers and some crusty bread.  I didn’t feel like doing that.  I always do those things.  I wanted something different.  And, I found it!  An amazing, ready in less than 30 minutes, and delicious dinner recipe.  And really, you could use any type of italian sausage in this recipe – your choice.  It will still be fabulous.  And you will be happy.  And your brood will eat.

Hearty Italian Sausage and Potato Skillet
Recipe from Dash Recipes
Serves 4

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage
1/2 sweet onion, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 pound red potatoes, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add sausages and cover. Cook until brown, turning once. After sausages are browned, add onion, potatoes, salt and pepper. Cover. Stir often.

2. Remove sausages once they are mostly cooked through. Spread potatoes out in skillet and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Slice sausages into 1/2-inch pieces and return to pan. Add rosemary, garlic, and half of the tomatoes. Cook about 5 minutes or until tomatoes are cooked. Add basil and remaining tomatoes; stir to combine.

4. Gobble it up! Who needs plates?