Jan 1st, 2025 – Black Eyed Pea Jambalaya – No Whey Foods Smooches Taste Test – Other Randomness

Happy New Year! Join me for a culinary adventure as I whip up a delicious black-eyed pea and vegan sausage jambalaya to celebrate the arrival of 2025. We’ll also do a taste test of No Way Foods’ Vegan Smooches, explore the origins of New Year’s traditions, and discuss my plans for the channel in the year ahead. Plus, get a sneak peek at the shows I’m currently watching and my thoughts on the latest seasons of The Old Man and Marvel’s What If…?

Chris’ New Year’s Jambalaya (Stovetop)

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 package vegan sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika (Use Smoked if you have it)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a touch of warmth)
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups long-grain rice
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the vegan sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned.
2. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell peppers to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in your seasonings. Cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, black-eyed peas, vegetable broth, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. (Note: You may need to add a splash more broth if the rice seems too dry during cooking.)
5. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

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