Big Bowl of Love’s Cristina Ferrare welcomes back the charismatic Chef Art Smith who hit us with his profound words…”There’s no angry people, just hungry people”. With these great recipes, you are sure to squish any anger that may be flowing in your OWN home. Nothing left but happy tummies!

What’s on today’s menu?

• Jambalaya
• Kickin’ Cornbread
• Baked Golden Plantains

I always enjoy the episodes that include Chef Art Smith. He and CF have great chemistry and make us feel as if we are just hanging out with them in their OWN kitchen. He did let us know that he had started an organization, common threads, that helps to teach kids how to cook. I think that is great! Once kids feel confident in the kitchen they are more likely to eat healthier. As for this episode, I will be trying ALL of the recipes. I may even try to make the Jambalaya vegetarian to see what I can pull off. My vegetarian loved ones are always looking for new recipes to add to collection.

Now for a few BBOL tips:

• You just need a little oil for a heavy pot. It is heavy and doesn’t food stick as much.
• You can make jambalaya with anything- even vegetarian! Just use vegetable broth.
• Onions gives that extra depth of flavor.
• Jambalaya is typically made with white rice, But don’t worry about mixing it up with brown rice.
• Add fish last minute so it doesn’t overcook.
• If you need to save time or corn isn’t in season, you can use canned corn.
• Spice it up and try to add cayenne pepper to butter for cornbread.
• You can use low-fat or non-fat sour cream to make the cornbread a bit healthier.
• If you use a cast iron skillet, your cornbread wont stick.
• When you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix slowly and fold it in. If you over stir it, it will become hard.
• There is a difference between a plantain and a banana. Plantains are a little harder, more like a vegetable.

Here are a couple of my OWN suggestions:

• Use your left over cornbread on top of chili. Your family will love it!
• Coconut ice cream would be a great compliment to the plantains.
• Not a big fan of spicy cornbread, eliminate the cayenne and jalapeno. Instead add a little agave or honey to sweeten it up. That is too sweet…then just add some honey to your butter!
• Nothing is better than a hot pot of love cooking on the stove. Your family will sneak peeks at all day long and will be SOOO excited once the eating begins.

Home cooking can be simple and fun. Get your family involved and spread the love!

Links to OWN for the recipes:

http://www.oprah.com/own-cristinas-big-bowl-of-love/Baked-Sweet-Plantains-Recipe

http://www.oprah.com/own-cristinas-big-bowl-of-love/Arts-Jambalaya-Recipe_1

http://www.oprah.com/own-cristinas-big-bowl-of-love/Cristinas-Kickin-Cornbread-Recipe_1