Cajun Jambalaya

Big Guy's been after me for a month now to make something with his homemade smoked Andouille sausage so last night I tried it out in a pot of jambalaya. I've got to tell you the sausage is really superb so he's going to have to make another batch and write down his secrets so I can share it all with you.

As for the jambalaya, an Emeril Lagasse recipe via foodnetwork.com, this version starts with the usual trinity of onion, celery and green pepper, and includes copious amount of garlic and bay leaves too along with shrimp and chicken as well as the Andouille sausage I bragged about above.

I know there's at least a b'zillion recipes for jambalaya but I have to say this may be one of my least favorite versions. I should have gone with my instincts and deviated from the recipe but hesitated to do so because after all this is EMERIL; however, the flavors would have been much better had I browned the Andouille pieces till they were kinda' crunchy on the outside and coated the chicken in seasoned flour and browned it too, never mind that I overcooked the darned rice to begin with. Perhaps I'm just being overly picky since Big Guy didn't seem to have an issue with any of his servings.

Anyway - here's the link to the recipe if you're so inclined. Personally, I'd much rather have a big pot of gumbo so I'll be putting it on the menu very shortly. In the meantime, it could very well be that I'm suffering from kitchen renovation "itis" so reservations may be the order of this day and several to follow. Oh well - I guess even food blogger's hit a funk every once in a while. 

For those of you that just dropped by for a look see at JBug's Kitchen Antics, I must apologize for the fancy dinner ware you see in the photograph but we're in the midst of renovating our kitchen and we're without a kitchen sink (among other things). Believe me using disposable plates while the kitchen's being renovated is becoming a life saver ....or should I say wife saver!  

A year ago - Meatloaf Panini with Crunchy Broccoli Salad

Two year's ago - Sloppy Joe's

Comments

[Lea]

What a good looking jambalaya! I bet the Andouille was the star!!!!!! Don't worry about overcooking the rice - us cajuns tend to like our rice cooked! hehehehehe

[June]

Lea - you sweetheart! I was afraid you'd look at it and wonder how I could possibly post it, and here you are telling me it's good lookin'. Talk about make me feel better! You're absolutely right the Andouille's the star. Can't wait to make gumbo!

[Lorraine]

I popped over and looked at the original recipe. I think the suggestions you made would improve this one a lot. I am still more of a fan of Paul P's version, but really, just an excuse to try out the andouille right?

[June]

Lorraine - you're right about trying the andouille. I should have made Paul's recipe too as I sit here looking at his cookbook. What a nutcase I am!