I made that!

This isn’t really a post. It’s more like a mention, because this was the tastiest jambalaya I’ve ever made. I didn’t really take photos, mostly because the beauty of cooking jambalaya is that everything just gets thrown into one pot (preferably an extremely large one). So it’s not the most interesting process, but it is a fantastic dinner.

This is basically John Besh’s recipe, from his new cookbook (which makes me want to hit up the state of Louisiana something fierce). I only changed a few things, mostly not using converted rice (uncle Ben’s) and omitting the celery salt. Because celery salt makes me uncomfortable. Not sure why.

Shrimp, Chicken and Andouille Jambalaya Recipe:

Serves 6-8

12oz andouille sausage, diced

8oz fresh pork sausage, removed from casings

8oz bacon, diced

1 oz butter

2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

2 celery stalks, diced

1 large onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 dried bay leaf

2 1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 1/4 cups white rice

1 15oz can crushed tomatoes

2 1/2 cups rich chicken broth

1 1/4 lb shrimp (preferably Louisiana white), peeled and deveined

– Preheat a large cast-iron pot over high heat. Lower the heat to medium and add the sausages, bacon and butter. Cook the meat as evenly as possible, stirring slowly, until the fat is released.

– Season the chicken with salt and pepper, add it to the pot. Once the chicken has browned, about 5 minutes, add the onions and cook for 15 minutes. Add the bell pepper, celery and garlic. Continue to stir, allowing the ingredients to brown without burning, about 5 minutes.

– Add the thyme, bay leaf, paprika, cayenne, and rice. Keep stirring for 5 to 7 minutes over medium heat.

– Add the tomatoes and broth, raise the heat back to high until the liquid boils, and then cover and reduce to a low simmer until rice is almost cooked through, about 25 minutes.

– Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, and add them to the pot. Keep the pot covered for an additional 10 minutes before removing from the heat. Season to taste.