What's For Dinner Thursday 02/12/09

Jambalaya !

I have several recipes for Jambalaya including one that is not quite as spicy...but I am a southern woman living on the border of Texas and Louisiana... so I like a little spice and I use bigger shrimp. If you are not a fan of spicy then be sure of go easy on the Cajun seasoning...I tend to make this recipe most often. I also use bigger shrimp... The family loves it.


6 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup chopped celery
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 pound cubed cooked ham
1/2 pound cubed cooked chicken
1/2 pound cubed smoked sausage
2 (14.5 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, with liquid
2 cups beef broth
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
2 cups uncooked white rice
1/2 pound salad shrimp


Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon, and cook until crisp. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon, and set aside. Add celery, bell pepper, and onion to the bacon drippings, and cook until tender.
Add the ham, chicken and sausage to the pot, and pour in the tomatoes, beef broth and chicken broth. Season with thyme and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, and add the rice. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
Stir in the shrimp and bacon just before serving, and heat through. If you use uncooked shrimp, let it cook for about 5 minutes before serving.

*My friend uses turkey sausage and deli ham and it was good.*