Sausage and Rice Stew

Come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats Holiday Recipe Swap, sponsored by Le Creuset!

Mmmm.... comfort food. It means different things to different people, but to me it involves something warm, usually creamy, and loaded with carbs. I'm entering this recipe in another GoodLife Eats/My Baking Addction recipe swap and contest. This one's theme is comfort food and the prize is a 5 QT French Oven from Le Creuset.

Sausage and Rice Stew

• 1 pkg of smoked sausage, sliced
  


• 1 large onion, chopped



• 3 garlic cloves, minced



• 1 Tbsp olive oil



• 2 cans (14.5oz each) chicken broth



• 2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained



• 1 C uncooked rice



• 1 tsp dried oregano



• 1 tsp dried thyme



• 2 C fresh spinach, roughly chopped



• 1/2 C half-and-half



• Grated Parmesan, optional

In a Dutch oven, saute the onion, garlic, and sausage in the olive oil until onion is crisp-tender. Add remaining ingredients except spinach and half-and-half and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes or until rice is done, stirring occasionally. Stir in spinach and half-and-half, cook 5 minutes more or until spinach is wilted. Salt and pepper to taste and top with grated Parmesan, if desired.

This is a really easy one pot meal. It's easily lightened up by omiting the half-and-half and/or the parmesan. It will still have great flavor. I sometimes like to use a purple onion, it adds nice color. I really love the flavor of thyme, so sometimes I skip the oregano and double the thyme. I don't always use fresh spinach. In fact, I usually just toss in a handful or two of frozen chopped spinach- I buy it in the bags so I can more easily use the amount I want, I hate those little boxes.

I hope you enjoy, and don't forget to vote for me!

http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2010/12/recipe-exchange-homemade-mac-n-cheese.html

(I tried to put the cute little button you can click instead of the link, but I just don't have that figured out yet)