June 07, 2010

Recipe of the week -- Rice with Ham and Sausages


What is your comfort food? Is it mac & cheese? Tomato soup? Twinkies?

My comfort food is this... Tomato flavored rice with ham and sausage. My mom made this for us many, many, many times throughout our childhood and to this day it is still one of my favorite meals. It's even become one of the meals my kids ask for often.

It requires a bit of chopping, but otherwise not much effort. It just simmers for some time on the stove-top and smells amazing while doing it.

Rice with Ham and Sausages
serves 4

1 pkg. (12 oz.) sausage links (uncooked links like Bob Evans), cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups cubed ham (leftover or packaged is fine)
1 med. onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups water
1 can (6 oz.) Italian herb flavored tomato paste
1 cup uncooked white rice

In a large skillet, saute onion, garlic and sausage until sausage is no longer pink. Add ham, water and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Add rice. Simmer on low about 25 minutes or until rice is tender.


I can tell you that this is one of those recipes that you can not speed up by trying to simmer it at a higher temp. Rice can have a difficult time cooking in an acidic dish (in this case, tomatoes). Simmering it on low takes longer, but helps the rice along.

If you can't find the Italian herbs tomato paste you can substitute with some Italian seasoning (1-2 tsp.), but it's not quite the same. Also, parsley can be sprinkled on top when done for a pretty presentation.


For more great recipes visit Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, and Tuesdays at the Table.

12 comments:

  1. that's a new one for me -- but it does look good and is definitely comfort food!

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  2. Looks yummy! Visiting from Tuesday Tag a Long.

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  3. I meant to say I'm visiting and now following from Tuesday Tag a long.

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  4. Hi! I'm visiting (and following) from Tuesday Tag Along. I'll have to try your recipe, my family would love it.

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  5. Looks yummy!
    I'm your newest follower from TTA...please visit my blog when you get a chance!
    Thanks,
    Jennifer @ The Craft Barn
    http://thecraftbarn-ny.blogspot.com/

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  6. This looks like a great weekday meal with a salad. Have you ever tried it with brown rice?

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  7. I haven't tried brown rice. Hmmm, could be worth an experiment. :o)

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  8. YUMMY!


    New reader here:) http://theadventuresoffamilyof5.blogspot.com

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  9. Hi
    I came from Tuesday Tag Along
    i'm now your follower

    hope a visit from you
    http://childhood-obsessions.blogspot.com

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  10. Thanks for linkin up with my Tasty Tuesdays! Never tried this.

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  11. It does sound very interesting. I know my daughter would love it, too. Thanks for the recipe and linking to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

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  12. Here is a good tip for this recipe, just replace the ham by some jamon iberico de bellota, in case you do not know it this is probably the best ham in the world, it is extremely tasty and healthy (no cholesterol), it comes from a particular breed of swine only found in Spain and Portugal. While it is a bit pricey, the results on the recipe are just amazing. If you want to keep it low budget, buy some Serrano ham which is also great.
    I always buy my iberico ham online at Buyjamon.com as it is fresh and delivered to your door.

    BuyJamon.com the market place for iberico ham.

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