Easy Jambalaya Recipe, a perfect recipe for Fat Tuesday, which begins Mardi Gras. The simplicity of this Jambalaya recipe is genius and it turns out great every time!
Laissez les bons temp rouler – (les-say) (le) (bon) (ton) (rue-lay)
Let the good times roll!
As most people know, Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is also known as Mardi Gras Day. It is a day when people eat anything and everything they want because the next day is the beginning of a period of fasting for Christians. In addition to fasting, Christians also give up something special for Lent, that they enjoy. So, Fat Tuesday is a celebration and the opportunity to enjoy that favorite food or snack that you give up for Lent.
Nowhere on the planet is Fat Tuesday celebrated more than on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The day is filled with parties and parades and of course a lot of food and drink. On Bourbon Street, store owners coat light poles and columns with Vaseline to keep the crowds from climbing them during Mardi Gras.
Jambalaya originated in the French Quarter of New Orleans, in the 18th century. It was an attempt by the Spanish to make paella in the New World, where saffron was not readily available. Tomatoes became the substitute for ingredient for saffron. Like curry in other countries, Every Cajun/creole family has its own recipe for jambalaya.
After the meal, have some King Cake (Below) for Fat Tuesday dessert
Equipment
- Dutch oven or large pan with a cover
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1 onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 inch pieces
- 10 ounces smoked andouille sausage sliced into rounds
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning see note below
- 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 Box Zatarain’s Jambalaya
- 2.5 cups water or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 pound raw shrimp tails off peeled and de veined
- Sliced green onions and chopped parsley to garnish
OPTIONAL
- 1 teaspoon each dried thyme and dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne powder
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 cup thinly sliced okra
- 1 teaspoon file powder
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Sauté the onion, bell pepper and celery until onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds).
- Add the sausage and chicken pieces, season with the Cajun seasoning.
- Sauté until chicken is cooked and no pink is showing
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and mix well
- Add in the Zatarain’s rice mixture and water (or chicken broth), stir to mix,
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low-medium.
- Cover and let simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked, while stirring occasionally.
- With about 5 minutes left in the simmer of the rice, put the shrimp on top of the Jambalaya mixture, stir through gently and re-cover with lid. Shrimp should be done when the rice is done
- Season with a little extra salt and pepper if needed and remove from heat.
- Adjust heat with extra hot sauce, Cayenne pepper or Cajun seasoning.
- Serve with sliced green onions and parsley.
- Cornbread is another side dish to serve with Jambalaya
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Another suggestion for Mardi Gras is our recipe for New Orleans Gumbo
If you liked this recipe for Jambalaya, you should try our recipe for Smashed Potatoes. Or you can try the Irish favorite, our recipe for Colcannon
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So yummy, we are in New Orleans right now, but plan on trying this out when back. Been looking for a great recipe!
Love this recipe