Summertime brings out the spice in all of us. You want the soul food that feeds your inner-self and meets your heart at the tips of your toes. For the love of all spices, Cajun is the way to go.
Jambalaya
Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked rice
1 large can diced tomatoes- with juice
3 tbs of garlic
1 red onion – slivered
2 cups of chopped celery – fine or small dices
1/2 lb Kielbasa cut into 1/2in to 1in pieces.
1/2 lb ham cubed
1/2- 3/4 lb of chicken thighs chopped into bite sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1 bell pepper chopped
1 tbs of Cajun Seasoning
2 Bay Leaves – do not chop
1 lb cleaned shrimp with tails still attached (optional for the seafood lovers)
6 scallions finely diced
1/3 cup of parsley
Directions:
Preheat Oven to 375 degrees. In a 5qt dutch oven, warm 1 tbsp oil over medium heat, add chicken and brown- turning frequently. remove chicken and set aside. Add ham, kielbasa and lightly brown- set aside with chicken.
Add remaining 1tbsp oil to dutch oven. Stir in celery, onion, and garlic – cook until slightly soft. Stir in tomatoes, rice, broth, bell pepper, Cajun Seasoning and Bay Leaves. Mix chicken, ham and kielbasa back in and bring to a boil.
Cover and transfer to oven to bake for 35 minutes.
If adding shrimp- rice and pat dry with paper towel and mix into rice mixture after the 35 minutes have passed. Cover and Bake 5-10 more minutes.
Ladle into bowls and umm ummm ummm Enjoy!