mmmm...mondays!

i love that e had the idea to begin the week with recipe suggestions/favorite foods. it is a great help especially for those that plan the entire week's meals before they head off to the grocery store. i fall under this category, because we have found that we save a lot of money at the store this way. it rids you of the problematic question- what are we going to eat tonight?

so today, i thought i'd share one of my most favorite things to prepare and eat: 

shrimp creole 

{this is adapted from my love for my mom's delicious recipe} it can be a year-around meal, but we like it especially in the cooler months, because it's warm and spicy!

{what you need}

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup diced green bell peppers

1/2 cup diced celery

1/2 cup diced white or yellow onion

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon all purpose flour

1 {14-ounce} can crushed tomatoes

1 {14-ounce} can diced tomatoes, drained

1 {8-ounce} can tomato sauce

1 tablespoon hot sauce {frank's red hot}

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

salt and pepper

dash of cinnamon

1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined shrimp {fresh, local or frozen}

optional: smoked sausage {my husband's favorite}, sliced into small pieces

1 package of success basmati rice {prepare as directed about 10 minutes prior to serving}

{directions}

in a frying pan, heat olive oil on medium. add peppers, celery, onion, and garlic. cook until softened. add chili powder and flour and saute until caramelized. reduce heat to medium-low. add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, hot sauce, worcestershire, sugar, salt and pepper, and cinnamon. cook for 3 hours on low. if adding smoked sausage, add to mixture above about twenty minutes before ready to serve. add shrimp and cook for 3-5 minutes {if fresh or thawed}. serve over rice.

happy eating! -j