I was going to start by saying that I’ll try anything once, but you know that’s not really true, even in the kitchen (which is what I would have been talking about if I’d actually said that). I will try new recipes, but only if they don’t have (a) too many ingredients, or (2) too many steps. In fact, most of the new dishes I’ve tried lately have been slow cooker recipes, so that I don’t have to spend too much time in the kitchen.

Anyway, I haven’t been very happy with the mostly bland recipes in my Betty Crocker slow cooker cookbook, so I searched the Food Network site and found Slow Cooker Jambalaya (Difficulty: Easy; Prep Time: 15 minutes). Now, if you don’t think jambalaya can be made in the crock pot, I’m perfectly willing to call it something else. I wanted something that I could put sausage in, because sausage improves almost any dish. The chicken and shrimp were a bonus. I also wanted something tomato-based, and it didn’t hurt that it’s served over rice, because I’m pretty good with rice.

And it was good! It helps that you can use so many spices, and I always use a little more than the recipe calls for. I could have probably put a little more hot sauce in it than the one teaspoon, but other than that, I don’t think I’ll change anything the next time I make it. And believe me, I’m always looking for a recipe I can try a second time. Even though I’ll try anything once, I won’t make anything twice unless it’s something that tastes good and is as easy as they tell me it’s supposed to be.