Two things about this jambalaya:  1. I think it’s impossible for me to get a good picture of it.  Rice dishes are really difficult, at least for me, to photograph.  My mom looked at this picture and said “Yuck!  I don’t think I’ll ever eat jambalaya again.”  I don’t think the picture is that bad, but oh well.  2. There is a slightly unusual (and somewhat low-brow) ingredient in this recipe, but please don’t let that deter you from trying it!

This was, as far as I know, the only jambalaya recipe my dad ever made.  I think he found it in the Times Picayune when he and my mother moved back to Louisiana after being away for twenty years.  I love this recipe and every time I make it for someone, it gets rave reviews.  My dad used to make it with shrimp or crawfish and sausage.  I always make it with chicken and two kinds of sausage.  Really, I think you could use whatever kind of meat, you’d like.

Jambalaya Recipe

1 1/2 cups dried rice

8 tablespoons of butter

1 bunch of green onions, chopped

1/2 bunch of parsley

1 15 oz. can of chicken broth

1 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes (I use the kind with garlic, onion, and oregano)

1 15 oz. can of hot water

1 pound of cooked, chopped chicken tenders

1/2 pound of kielbasa, sliced

1/2 pound of smaller, smoked sausage (I use Conecuh smoked sausage), sliced

1 tablespoon of juice from a jar of sliced jalapenos.

1 15 oz. jar of Cheese Whiz (yes, this is the ingredient I warned you about!)

Directions

Melt butter in a stockpot on medium heat

Brown the rice for a minute or two in the butter

Add the green onions, parsley, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and hot water to the pot.  Increase heat and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat low, cover, and let simmer until the liquid is absorbed (between 20 and 30 minutes). 

Add the chicken and the sausage

Stir the jalapeno juice into the cheese whiz and then add the jalapeno cheese whiz to the jambalaya mixture.  Stir well.  Let the entire thing simmer on low for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.  Serve with warm, crusty french bread and a salad.  Yum, yum, and yum!