Sunday, February 7, 2010

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Who dat? Dat is the best chicken jambalaya! In the "Supperbowls" of Nawlins-style jambalayas, this is a winner!

To honor the New Orleans Saints today, I made a pot of jambalaya with lots of spice to hope they heat things up against Indiana. I took a chance on a recipe that I actually found on a website for a northern city covering the topic of Louisiana. I am not sure how authentic it is according to anyone living in Acadia, but I can assure you that it is absolutely delicious with quite a depth of spice! I do not use chili powder from the average supermarket, and I hope you don't, either. The chili powder I use is from the Indian market, Patel Brothers, and is the finely ground powder. It is ten times spicier than the supermarket kind, thankfully!

I have been trying to play around with effects on my camera to start taking better food photos! I like how the photo came out, but I have a long way to go. Speaking of a long way to go, Geaux Saints! Lets hope they get lots of yards and plenty of touchdowns to make laissez les bon temps rouler!


Chicken Jambalaya (courtesy of Courant.com)


Ingredients
  • 4 strips bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 sweet red pepper, cored, seeded and diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2 green onions, white and green parts, diced
  • 4 large chicken thighs (skinless or skin on)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried marjoram
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon medium-hot to hot chili powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3/4 cup long-grain rice
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth

    Brown bacon pieces in large skillet. When crisp, add sweet red pepper, garlic and green onions and saute 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken thighs and brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Spoon out excess fat.

    Add thyme, marjoram, salt, chili powder and bay leaves. Mix gently. Add rice and chicken broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until rice is tender, liquid absorbed and chicken is done, about 25 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Serve immediately. Makes 2 servings.
  • (Note: double if cooking for a crowd and cut up chicken in bite size pieces)
  • 22 comments:

    1. These sounds like a real good recipe and yeah i like how this pic was shot too.....

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    2. I have never had jambalaya, ever. Boy does this ever sound delicious. I feel a gap in my life. It must be filled!

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    3. Katy, you will love it! Just make sure you use a good chili powder!

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    4. This is a great idea and such a fun recipe for the Superbowl today! I love any kind of jambalaya! I have to admit that I do buy regular supermarket brand chili powder. I'll have to search out some better brands. I think your picture looks great. I'm trying to work on my pictures too, but sometimes it's so hard to take pictures when you're hungry:D

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    5. Kim, I think Penzeys should hire me because I am a walking ad for them! Think of getting a small jar from them and let me know if you do. :) Hope you are enjoying the day! And I agree...its hard to take pictures when all you can think about is eating the subject! :)

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    6. i love the flavors of jambalaya but hate shrimp, so this batch makes me pretty excited. great picture too.
      and i hafta say it--go colts! :)

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    7. Looks good!...the Who is up, and from what I hear around me, Nawlins has got some work to do!! Not that I know anything...

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    8. I've never made Jambalaya - I don't know why! This looks absolutely delicious! Hearty and comforting - my favorite kind of food.

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    9. Saint won, y'all, so this is also going to be known as THE LUCKY JAMBALAYA!

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    10. what a good looking jambalaya - and it must be lucky!

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    11. Well you got your wish with the Saints winning! :D

      I love spicy jambalaya, but my hubby can't stand the heat as much as me!

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    12. Love jambalaya! Way to go Saints! :D

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    13. No butter??
      This might be a jambalaya I can have... until I can go back to my real recipe with oodles of butter.
      Yummy!

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    14. I think your photo looks great! I love jumbalaya even if I really can't deal with much chilli. Will have to try this at some stage - I love those dishes where it just simmers away and takes care of itself.

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    15. Yum! I love jambalaya, must make this version soon!

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    16. YuM! I love jambalaya though have never made it. Looks like it's about time I have it a try!

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    17. The flavors here are amazing! This reminds me I need to make jambalaya again soon.

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    18. Hi Aimee,
      This looks awesome! I love Jambalaya but never actually made it at home. Thanks for sharing your recipe! I must try this sometimes :-)

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    19. Oooooooh, that looks yummy! Hope you had a fab superbowl weekend.
      *kisses* HH

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    20. oooh! what a great mix of flavors and foods!

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    21. Boy you have some very lucky guests to be eating this!!

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    22. Woot woot! go JAMBALAYA! Love that stuff. Some of the best flavors ever.

      And the photos look awesome!

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