Vegetarian Paella

I decided to take a blog-cation.  I'm not sure that is a real thing, but I am officially making it a thing.  I was feeling a little overwhelmed with how much I have going on in my life and I just couldn't keep up.  It happens.  All the stuff is really good and I totally kept cooking up a storm, but I just didn't feel like writing.  However, I am pretty pumped to tell you about this Vegetarian Paella:

Here is a quick re-cap on all the good stuff that is keeping me occupied.  First, school is busy.  I am teaching the AP Calc and Precalc groups right now, so I have a lot to plan for.  I have never taught these classes before this year and so I need more time to plan and prepare myself.  Plus, this math stuff can be really difficult!  I give these kids a lot of credit because they are learning some tough stuff and doing a really nice job! Then, I also have cheer practice or basketball games after school.  On Saturday, we attended a college basketball game and talked to the cheer team there.  It was really fun and the girls had a great time meeting the college cheerleaders.  We are also getting ready for a winter pep rally and that means lots of practice.  On top of all that, I also had a meeting on Monday with the park district to start preparing for my summer job.  Summer seems really far away, but now is the time that we start planning/hiring for summer camp.  Finally, Bri and I have been doing a lot of house shopping.  We think we found our condo and are getting ready to make an offer!  And, all of this is in addition to wedding planning and marathon training.  Jeez!  

So, needless to say, I just have a lot on my plate.  

I also found out that next year I will be teaching 12th grade.  For any of you who keep up with my life, I am currently teaching 11th grade and this means I will be teaching the same kiddos next year! I am turning into Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World!  This is just awesome since Mr. Feeny is the best! 

How can you not love that guy???  

Well, now that you are all mostly updated on my whirlwind life, here is a fabulous recipe for Vegetarian Paella.  I made this on a weeknight, which means that it takes like no time, and it was crazy yummy.  Please make this and enjoy!

Vegetarian Paella

(adapted from The Kitchn)

Ingredients:

1 cup brown rice

1/4 tsp tumeric

1/4 tsp paprika

5-6 cups vegetable broth

1 tbsp olive oil

1 sweet onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 red peppers, sliced

14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

1/2 tbsp hot paprika

1 cup green beans, trimmed and halved

1 can artichoke heart quarters, drained and roughly chopped

1 cup cooked chickpeas

1/4 cup frozen peas

salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt and the brown rice, and boil for 20 minutes.  Drain and set aside.

2. In another pot, bring the broth to a simmer.

3. Heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet and saute the onions until translucent.  Add in the peppers and garlic and cook until the peppers soften.  Add in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tumeric, paprika, hot paprika, and season with salt and pepper (to taste). Let this simmer for 5 minutes

4.  Fold in the green beans, artichoke hearts, chickpeas and cooked rice.  Ladel the warm broth into the mixture until the rice is almost covered.  Let simmer for 20 minutes.

5. Stir in the frozen peas and let simmer for 5 more minutes.  Then, serve! 

Enjoy :)

Daring Cooks' Challenge September 2012: Paella

Inma from laGalletika challenged us with making Paella for this month's Daring Cooks' Challenge!  It was so fun to experiment with this little taste from Spain and put our own twists on the flavorful dish!

I had a blast whipping up this delightful dinner with a few of my girlfriends from the school of ed.  We got together, made some Paella, enjoyed some wine, and watched tv.  It was a really lovely evening and it made me so grateful for my fellow teacher friends.

Student teaching has been so much fun and so much work! I officially started lead teaching my class this past week and it is exhausting! I am always amazed by how how tired I feel when the adrenaline rush starts to wear off when the lesson is over.  I am slowly becoming more and more comfortable in my new teaching shoes and I have learned so much already.  My class is a tough one.  There are quite a few tough cookies in that room that make life interesting.  I am trying to incorporate all of my training and readings into my practice and so far it seems to be going well.  I knew that classroom management was going to be a struggle because you really can't learn how to do it from any class.  You just gotta give it a try.  I am working on focusing on my language as I speak to the students.  I try to be consistent and persistent with my expectations and disposition.  I want to show them that I respect them, but that in return, they must respect me.  I want to develop positive relationships with all my students and I want to empower them by having high expectations of everyone.

This all sounds lovely in writing, but in life it gets tricky.  Not only do I have to focus on ALL of this, but I have to teach math too! The only tricky thing about this is that I am following the CMP curriculum, which I did not have when I was in school.  It is a very different method of learning than what I was used to and so it is new for me as well as the students! I just have to stay on my toes and learn everything a little big faster than the kids.  I am actually starting to do their homework as well so that I am on the same page as they are and have an even better understanding of the curriculum and the material.

After all this teaching and learning, one would think that one would be too exhausted to have any fun.  However, that is simply not true! Last night I have a great night with my friends watching the Bears v. Packers Game and this weekend is a Badger home game and I have a ticket! I can't wait to relax and have some fun with my friends.  It is my senior year after all!

Healthy Paella (adapted from Fervent Foodie)

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
1 box mini turkey sausage links, cooked according to directions
1/2 large white onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
14 oz can whole tomatoes, drained
2 cups arborio rice
2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
4 oz cooked shrimp
1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
salt and pepper to taste
Chicken Rub:
1 tbsp paprika
2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Directions:
1. Mix the chicken rub spices together and coat both sides of the chicken breasts.
2. Heat a large skillet with cooking spray or olive oil and cook the chicken until just seared on all sides.  Place on a plate off to the side.
3. Add onions, garlic, and red pepper to the skillet and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add the tomatoes and crush with your spatula.  Add the rice, stir to combine, and cook until all the liquid is absorbed.  Add the chicken broth and wine, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, for about 10 minutes.  Add the chicken, stir to combine, and continue to cook, covered for 5 minutes.  Add the cooked sausage and continue to cook for 3 minutes before adding the cooked shrimp.  Let simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, stir in the peas, season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!

Enjoy :)