Anyone have a Cajun Jambalaya recipe?

[Laura's Babies]

Since I live in Cajun country, I make Jambalaya all the time.. LOVE the stuff but I don't use a recipe. I like a pork and smoked sausage one the best but you can change it up to add anything you want.. I will tell you how I make it.. It is simple but has the taste I love!

I put my cut up pork steaks in a heavy pot and brown it with a good dose of salt, pepper and garlic granules (don't be stingy with any of this). I let that cook down a bit to tenderize the meat, add my smoked sausage and about a cup of chopped onions, celery (and what other veggies you like, I just use these) and let them cook until the onions are clear. I add 4 cups of water and let that come to a boil.. I add Kitchen Bouguet as seen here http://www.drhot.net/kitchenbouquet.html to make it the color I like, I like mine dark. I add 1 teasoppn of salt for every cup of rice used and add the rice (I use long grain rice) when the water starts to boil. Cut the fire down to a slow simmer and let cook until the water is asorbed. Pull it off the fire and let it sit about 15 minutes before serving. You can add Cayanne pepper to spice it up when adding the salt, pepper and garlic granules. I sometimes use fresh garlic but still use the garlic granules because I love the taste it gives my Jambalaya.

The great thing about Jambalaya is there is no right way or wrong way to make it. I have a friend that used left over baked ham one time and said that was really good too. It is your OWN tastes that dictates to you how to make it.

[sirrahbed]

I have made this several times in the past few months and think it is just so yummy!! It came from my Simple & Delicious (by Taste of Home) magazine. It is rather a cheat but I think it tastes just as good as the stuff we used to eat in Shreveport Surely not as good as LB's authentic version but great if you want EASY!!


1 package (8 ounces) red beans and rice mix (I like Louisiana brand but Zatarains is good too)
1/2 pound smoked sausage, sliced
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound cooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon Louisiana-style hot sauce, optional
Directions:
Cook red beans and rice mix according to package directions.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute sausage and onion in oil until onion is tender. Add the shrimp, tomatoes, brown sugar and hot sauce if desired. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until heated through. Stir in rice mixture. Yield: 4 servings.