Best 2 Southern Style Jambalaya Recipes

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**Jambalaya: A Flavorful Fusion of Southern and Creole Cuisine**

In the heart of Louisiana, where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf of Mexico, lies a culinary treasure that embodies the vibrant spirit of the South: Jambalaya. This one-pot dish is a symphony of flavors, a harmonious blend of African, French, and Spanish influences that have shaped the unique character of Cajun and Creole cooking. With its aromatic blend of spices, succulent meats, tender vegetables, and fluffy rice, Jambalaya is a celebration of Louisiana's rich cultural heritage. This article presents a collection of authentic Jambalaya recipes that capture the essence of this beloved Southern dish. From the classic Creole Jambalaya to variations featuring chicken, shrimp, or sausage, these recipes offer a culinary journey through the flavors of Louisiana. Each recipe is meticulously crafted to guide home cooks in recreating the vibrant flavors and textures that make Jambalaya a culinary masterpiece.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHERN-STYLE JAMBALAYA



Southern-Style Jambalaya image

Jambalaya is a wonderful Louisiana rice dish - a sort of Creole paella. Our version cuts down on the fat, but maintains all the spicy flavour.

Categories     Main     Hairy Dieters

Time 45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 19

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
100g chorizo (we like picante)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, roughly chopped
4 slender celery sticks, cut into 1cm slices
2 small green peppers, deseeded and cut into 2cm chunks
5 large ripe vine tomatoes (about 475g)
3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 tbsp paprika
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
2 bay leaves
200g long-grain rice (we often use the easy-cook version)
450ml chicken stock, made with 1 chicken stock cube
100g cooked peeled king prawns, thawed if frozen
6 spring onions, sliced (including lots of green)
flaked sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, removing any excess fat, and season them with salt and pepper. Skin the sausage and cut it into 5mm slices. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan or non-stick sauté pan and fry the chicken for 3 minutes over a medium heat until lightly coloured. Add the chorizo and cook for 30 seconds more, then transfer the chicken and chorizo with tongs to a large plate or tray. Tip most of the oil out of the frying pan and chuck it away. Return the empty pan to the heat and turn the heat down to low. Stir in the onion, celery and green peppers and cook for 8-10 minutes until well softened, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, skin the tomatoes - see our top tip. Cut them in half and remove the green stem ends, then roughly chop the rest of the flesh - no need to deseed. Stir the crushed garlic, paprika, cayenne, thyme, oregano and bay leaves into the frying pan and cook for 20-30 seconds, stirring. Increase the heat and add the chopped tomatoes and any juice that has collected on the board. Cook for 5 minutes or until the tomatoes are well softened, stirring regularly. Return the chicken and chorizo to the pan, add the rice and cook for about a minute, stirring. Pour over the stock, season with a pinch of salt and lots of black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes or until the rice is just tender and most of the liquid has evaporated or been absorbed by the rice, stirring occasionally. The rice should still be pretty saucy at this point, so if your rice takes longer to cook, you may need to add a little more stock. Stir in the prawns and spring onions and cook for about 2 minutes more or until the prawns are hot, stirring regularly, then serve.

Nutrition Facts :

SOUTHERN JAMBALAYA



Southern Jambalaya image

Make and share this Southern Jambalaya recipe from Food.com.

Provided by PalatablePastime

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 55m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 medium onions, chopped
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup diced celery
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup uncooked rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 bay leaf
1 lb cubed cooked ham

Steps:

  • Cook the onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic in two tbsp of the oil in a Dutch oven, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add shrimp and cook until shrimp are pink, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove shrimp mixture and reserve.
  • Add last tbsp oil to the pan along with the rice and cook over med-high heat about ten minutes, until the rice is a light brown, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
  • Stir in the broth, tomatoes, salt, pepper, thyme, Tabasco, and the bay leaf.
  • Heat mixture to a boil then cover, reduce hear and simmer, about 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender.
  • Stir in the reserved shrimp and also the ham.
  • Cover and cook until heated through.
  • Remove bay leaf, and serve.

Tips:

  • Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready to go. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot: A heavy-bottomed pot will help to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the jambalaya from burning.
  • Brown the meat and vegetables: Browning the meat and vegetables before adding the other ingredients will help to develop flavor and depth of color.
  • Use a good quality stock: The stock you use will make a big difference in the flavor of the jambalaya. Use a homemade stock if you can, or a good quality store-bought stock.
  • Season to taste: Don't be afraid to adjust the seasonings to your own taste. Jambalaya is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking.

Conclusion:

Southern-style jambalaya is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a party or a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and can be customized to your own liking. With a few simple tips, you can make a jambalaya that will impress your friends and family.

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