Every year my office dresses up for Halloween. In 2009 I went as Julia Child. I walked around our office saying “Bon Appetit!” In 2010 I went as Paula Dean. I handed out goodie bags and I said “love and best wishes from my kitchen to yours!”
This year? I am going as:
Yep! Guy Fieri. We are grilling out and I am making thai burgers – you’ll just have to come back tomorrow for my costume and the recipe for this burger which is out of this world!
I was bizzy in my kitchen yesterday as usual. I have to show you the size of the .99 cent a pound chicken breasts I got – I put an 8 x 11 sheet of paper behind these chicken boobs so you can see how big they are!
I’ve never made gumbo before and decided to make that for dinner last night. Can I just say that I had no idea some recipes called for up to 1/2 cup of oil to make a roux out of? So I combined several healthier recipes and came up with my version.
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo with Rice (4 servings without the rice: 268 calories, 6 fat, 20 carbs, 2.2 fiber and 32 protein – or 7 Points).
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
- 6 ounces diced smoked kielbasa
- 1 cup new potatoes
- 1 cup carrots
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt over chicken. Heat oil over medium heat and stir in flour. Cook, stirring constantly until the flour begins to brown. Slowly stir in all the broth and using a whisk, cook for 2 minutes. There shouldn’t be any lumps (I did have to remove a few lumps of flour that just never incorporated).
Throw everything but the kielbasa in the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the sausage and simmer for 20 minutes more. Serve over white rice.
My broth never really thickened up as much as I would have liked – Tony and I both considered this more of a gumbo soup, but we liked it. I’ll have to try again on another gumbo recipe – if you have one to share, please do!
With 3/4 of a cup of rice, dinner came in at 10 points.
In case you missed it – BSI is back! I chose Pumpkin! Just leave your pumpkin recipes in the comments section – winner will get a $10 Starbucks gift card. 
Alright, off to finish putting my costume together – have a wonderful Halloween! What were you the last time you dressed up?
So fun! I cant wait to see your costume!! Those are some largeee breasts! Delicious dinner. We are being a mickey mouse family tonight!
The reason the gumbo didn’t thicken is because you browned your flour. I learned that on the food network. And it makes sense because my grandma makes thin brown sausage gravy and it is delicious. My MIL always made thick white fluffy sausage gravy. And I realized that the difference is the amount of time that they cook their flour and roux!
I have 2 pumpkin recipes – do I have to pick one?
Happy Halloween!
You can submit them both Errign!
Can’t have too many pumpkin recipes!
I love the chef theme to costumes. Just keep saying “winner winner chicken dinner”. Can’t wait for the pictures. Have fun.
I just want to dive into that gumbo and eat my way out! I don’t even care that it has meat in it! Give it! LOL
I’m pretty sure okra is the traditional thickening for gumbo. Being a Georgia girl, I love okra but I know that a lot of people either haven’t tried it or think it’s too slimy.
I cannot WAIT to see your costume! Love that you get to dress up – hope you have a fun day today!
Too Funny, ive been racking my brain thinking about a lower fat gumbo. I just cant use all that oil. Maybe if you coat your chicken pieces in Flour and then brown and delgaze, it will get thicker. I have an amazing pumpkin raisin cupcake. Here it is.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup canola oil
4 eggs
1 can (15-ounces) pumpkin
1-cupl Raisins
Decorating sprinkles
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350º F. Line 18 muffin cups with paper cupcake liners.
Combine all ingredients except raisins in a large bowl.
Beat on medium speed until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir in raisins. Spoon batter into muffin cups.
Bake25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes to wire rack to cool completely. Spread frosting on cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles.
Frosting: Beat until smooth 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/3 cup softened butter, 3 ounces softened cream cheese, 2 to 3 teaspoons milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add orange food coloring, if desired
Thai burgers? Can’t wait to see the recipe, I love the flavors of thai food.
I went in with some friends on some cheap chicken (but it still wasn’t as cheap as yours!) and am looking forward to all your chicken recipe. Our breast were huge too! Each 1/2 breast was 1 lb each!
I can hardly wait to see your transformation!!!
Happy Halloween, Biz!
Cannot wait to see you as Guy!
Here is a great pumpkin recipe…and semi-healthy too!
http://www.sweetandsavoryfood.com/2011/10/pumpkin-agave-muffins.html
ooh i love your foodie costumes! can’t wait to see this one!!
I can’t wait to see a picture of you as Guy!!!! Happy Halloween Vat!!!
I love this gumbo recipe…so flavorful and hearty for a cold Halloween night…
I’m excited to see your costume. I agree that okra would have helped thicken it.
I can’t wait to see your costume!
http://tlsoendker.blogspot.com/2011/10/sweet-potato-pumpkin-and-black-bean.html
Cannot wait to see your costume Biz! Hair and all! Hahaha!
I make a straight up dark roux for my gumbo (not calorie friendly at all). The darker the roux, the less thickening power it has, but the deeper flavor it gives your gumbo.
I’m super excited to see your costume! I’m trying a new pumpkin recipe tonight, so I’ll submit it soon!
I love that you dress up as Food Network stars for Halloween.. I can’t wait to see your Guy costume! I don’t have a gumbo recipe, though I do have a pretty good (easy!) jambalaya that uses andouille chicken sausage. I love it’s tomato based sauce! And it thickens up the longer you let it cook (due to long grain rice).Let me know if you try it!
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Seriously cannot wait to see your costume! I love that idea. Hilarious!
Looking forward to seeing Guy tomorrow!
There is a thickening thing called gumbo file that I’ve seen used. It’s ground sassafrass I think. Happy Halloween!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Here is my BSI from 2 years ago!
http://www.slim-shoppin.com/pumpkin-pear-banana-muffins/
Glad you had fun at your party!
omg! I demand to see you in Guy Fieri costume, Biz!!
Can’t wait to see your costume!
And this gumbo looks amazing!
Happy Halloween! Can’t wait to see pics of you in costume.
http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/recipe-makeovers/how-to-make-healthy-gumbo-00412000073465/
Saw this today and thought of you immediately!
Thanks!! I’ll have to check that one out – never thought to look at Cooking Light!