taste

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 lb. shrimp, peeled and devined

• 4 c. boiling water

Directions

Place ham, sausages and onions in 3-quart saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until onions are soft. No need to add any oil as the meat will provide enough fat for cooking.

Add rice and stir well. Add green onions, paprika, parsley, thyme, garlic, green pepper, salt, bay leaf, shrimp and 4 cups boiling water. Bring to a boil. Let boil for 5 minutes. Lower heat. Cover pot tightly and let cook slowly for 35 minutes or until rice is tender. With fork, fluff rice up, mixing sausages well.

Nutrition information per each of 8 servings:

Calories 600 Fat 24 g Sodium 1900 mg

Carbohydrates 60 g Saturated fat 9 g Calcium 67 mg

Protein 33 g Cholesterol 130 mg Dietary fiber 1 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 4 bread/starch, 3 medium-fat meat, 2 fat.

CRAB CAKES

Makes 20.

Note: Plan ahead as these need to be chilled overnight before they are cooked. Panko bread crumbs are bigger and lighter than the traditional crumb, which can be substituted. From “750 Best Appetizers,” by Judith Finlayson and Jordan Wagman. No time to make these yourself? Great ones are available at Costco (the Handy brand).

• 1 lb. lump crabmeat (fresh, canned or frozen, thawed and drained)

• 1/3 c. finely diced red bell pepper

• 1/3 c. finely diced red onion

• 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard