STEWpendous!

Are there really only 21 more days left 'til Christmas?!  Yes, yes...I'm sure that's what I'm seeing on the calendar.  #timeflies

Thanksgiving flew by fast and furiously...as it always does...and I made sure to enjoy each and every calorie I consumed.  I haven't really stopped since then, either.  Still wearing my Thanksgiving pants, thankyouverymuch.  Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite days of the year because I get to spend lots of QT with the fam and the obligatory Thanksgiving picture always gets taken...

Why are my boys looking so big?!?!!  

My mom and I went Black Friday shopping the day after THanksgiving and we swear we won't return to the Galleria on that day in the future.  It was crazy.  Crazier than it's ever been in the past.  And while we were there, we were evacuated out of a back tunnel in the mall because there was a supposed shooting in the mall.  A SHOOTING IN THE MALL.  I've never been so scared in my life.  The store employees rushed us out of a back door and the look on people's faces were complete fright.  We ran through the tunnel trying to find a way out....it was like a funhouse maze...and when we finally reached the exit, we breathed a huge sigh of relief.  Scared is an understatement.  Thankfully, it wasn't a shooting at all.  A couple of punk kids thought fighting in the mall was a cool idea...one of them pushed the other into a glass marquee...the marquee fell and shattered and when it did, people scattered and some of them yelled "GUNSHOTS!!!!"  Way to incite a panic.  LAWD!!!!  That, by far, was the most eventful Black Friday to date.  #survivor  (please tell me you can read through the sarcasm in that hashtag ;)}

Now life is back to normal...sort of...until Christmas.  I leave for a conference in MI on Sunday and the week before a presentation is always full of craziness here at the house.  While I'm prepping, I completely forego all my domestic duties.  But I'm hosting a bridal shower on Saturday, so I've actually had to be on the ball with all that.  I tend to overcommit myself more than I should...I have this weird idea that I can do it all and ohmiword...turns out, I CAN'T :) 

 All that to be said, easy dinners are the name of the game this week and here's one that's perfect for a quick, weeknight meal.  Packed full of flavor and comfort, there's no reason not to try it out.  Especially this time of the year when everyone is short on time.  

CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE STEW

via Skinny Taste

2 tsp. vegetable oil

1 C. chopped yellow onion

1 green bell pepper, chopped

3 stalks of celery, chopped

4 skinless chicken thighs, bone in

4 skinless chicken drumsticks, bone in

cajun seasoning, to taste {I used Tony Chachere's}

1 TBSP. all-purpose flour

2 C. water

2 links of sausage {smoked/turkey/andouille)

1 bay leaf

1/4 C. chopped scallion

First let's get started with the trinity.  This is my favorite veggie blend for sure.  I love the way it smells when it sautees.  SO good.  Add the oil to a large skillet then toss in the onion, bell pepper, and celery.  Sautee for about 5 minutes.

Now take the veggies and push them to the sides of the skillet and place the chicken and sausage in the center of those veggies.  It's like a duck, duck, goose mush pot of yumminess.

Season the chicken and veggies with a little bit of cajun seasoning. 

 THis is our favorite...

We pour this stuff on everything, I swear.  

Anyway, season to your liking.  Cajun seasoning can pack a little punch, so you may want to add sparingly until you have a chance to give it a taste test and figure out if you need more.  

Cook the chicken for about 3-5 minutes and then turn over and cook for about 3-5 minutes more.  You'll want to give it some time to brown on each side.  Then sprinkle the flour over the chicken & veggies like so...

Now add the water, bay leaf, and sausage.  Cover and let simmer for about 35-40 minutes.  

You'll be tempted to sneak a spoonful while it's simmering.  By ALL means, go for it.  When it's nice and cooked, remove the bay leaf and toss in the scallions.  We served ours over a bowl of rice and let me tell y'all...it was sensational!!!  I'm a big fan of any kind of chicken and rice combo, but the sausage and stew  texture amped it all up a few notches and this will now be one of my go-to meals.  

It was so easy to prep and cook.  And it was SO full of flavor!  This is my favorite kind of weeknight meal.  Full on flavor, short on prep time.  And for someone who has completely overcommitted herself this week {don't you hate it when people write in 3rd person?!?!?}, I couldn't have found this recipe at a more perfect time!  Seemed like I spent way more time in the kitchen than I did!!!  Those are the best kind of meals, for sure!  STEWpendous!!!!(See what I did there?!?!? ;)}