Wednesday, February 8 2012

Ingredients

4 tbsp rendered bacon fat or vegetable oil

4 skinless and boneless chicken thighs, cut

into bite-sized pieces

8 oz (225 g) andouille or kielbasa sausage,

thickly sliced

1 onion, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely

chopped

1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely

chopped

1 celery stalk, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 fresh hot red chile, seeded and chopped

1 3/4 cups long-grain rice

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp sweet paprika

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

2 bay leaves

pinch of sugar

freshly ground black pepper

2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

one 14.5 oz (411 g) can chopped tomatoes

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined

chopped parsley, to garnish

hot red pepper sauce, to serve



Method:

Heat 2 tbsp of the bacon fat in a large flameproof casserole over high heat. In batches, add the chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until the chicken is browned and opaque throughout. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a plate.

Add the remaining bacon fat to the casserole and heat. Add the andouille and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until browned. Remove the andouille with a slotted spoon and set aside with the chicken.

Add the onion, peppers, celery, garlic, and chile to the casserole. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until softened. Add the rice and cook, stirring often, for about 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir for another minute.

Return the chicken and sausage to the casserole. Add the thyme, salt, paprika, cayenne, bay leaves, sugar, and pepper. Pour in the stock, the tomatoes with their juice, and the Worcestershire sauce. Bring to the boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. Reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for 12–15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.

Add the shrimp and simmer, still covered, for 3-5 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the shrimp are pink (the jambalaya should be a little soupy). Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley. Serve hot, with a bottle of hot pepper sauce alongside.