Cucina Archive · Secondo

Jambalaya

Three meats browned down with tomato paste, then the trinity, then rice cooked into the whole thing in one covered pot.

C08 · Developed formula · yields One large pot

Formula

The meatBrowned, then set aside.
Olive oil2 Tbsp
Tasso ham1 lb
Boneless chicken thighs1 lb
Smoked andouille sausage1 lbsliced
Tomato paste2 Tbspcooked out 5 to 8 minutes
The trinity and the spice
Medium onion1chopped
Bell pepper1green or red, chopped
Celery2 to 3 stalkschopped
Garlic3 to 4 clovesminced
Fresh thyme1 tsp
Paprika2 tsp
Cajun spice2 Tbsp
Diced tomatoes1 can, 14.5 ozwith the juices
Salt and pepperto taste
The riceCovered, 30 to 35 minutes, undisturbed.
Long-grain rice2 cups
Chicken broth2 cups
Bay leaves2 to 3

Method

  1. Brown the chicken and sausage. Add the tomato paste and cook it 5 to 8 minutes, then remove everything and set it aside.

  2. To the same pot add the onion, bell pepper and celery. Saute 5 to 7 minutes until softened, then the garlic and thyme for a minute more.

  3. Stir in the paprika, Cajun spice, salt and pepper and cook about two minutes. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices and mix.

  4. Return the meat. Add the rice, broth and bay leaves and stir.

  5. Bring to a boil, drop to low, cover, and simmer 30 to 35 minutes until the rice has taken up the liquid.

Notes

The tomato paste is cooked with the meat rather than added to the liquid, which is where the colour and most of the depth come from.

Two cups of rice to two cups of broth is tight for a covered pot, and the tomatoes go in with their juices. The liquid is doing more than the broth line suggests.