Easy, one pot cooking with delicious results keeps everyone in the family happy. Jambalaya is one such dish, made famous in New Orleans with its creole flavours. This is a family-friendly version of the traditional jambalaya.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 flavourful sausages – chorizo work well, but if they are too spicy, pick your family’s favourite
- 1 chicken breast, diced
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- Several grinds fresh black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 400gm can of diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 large ribs celery, sliced thinly
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 cup medium grain rice
- 2.5 tsps chicken stock powder dissolved in 2.5 cups water
- 300gm bag of frozen, peeled shrimp
Method:
In a heavy bottomed pot with a lid, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and diced chicken and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the paprika, cumin, black pepper, and salt. Saute the spices for 1 minute, add the canned tomatoes and tomato paste. Add the celery and onions and cook, stirring for 5 minutes.
Stir in the rice and mix well. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 20 minutes – stir occasionally to ensure the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Remove the lid and check the rice. It should be just tender; if it is still too firm cook for another minute or two and check it again. When the rice is tender, add the shrimp, stir in, and cook covered for 5 minutes. Shrimp will go tough if overcooked so err on the side of caution! Serve with crusty bread if desired.
