Gulf Coast Jambalaya Recipes

GULF COAST JAMBALAYA RICE

Steps:

• Place the first 10 ingredients in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender., Stir in shrimp and rice. Cook, covered, 15-20 minutes longer, until shrimp turn pink and rice is tender.

GULF COAST JAMBALAYA

Steps:

• Saute onion, garlic, green pepper and celery in butter or bacon grease in large heavy pan over moderate heat for 12 minutes or until onion is golden brown.
• Add parsley, ham, thyme and bay leaves.
• Fry, stirring often for another 5 minutes.
• Add pepper sauce, salt tomatoes, tomato sauce and the water.
• Simmer for five minutes.
• Add rice, adjusting heat so liquid boils very gently, cover and cook for 30 minutes.
• Add shrimp to float on top (don't mix in- it's intended to steam on the top), re-cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes (depends on size of shrimp) or until shrimp are cooked, rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
• Taste for salt and pepper needed.
• Toss lightly and serve.

GULF SHRIMP JAMBALAYA

Steps:

• For the shrimp stock: toss the shrimp shells in a large pot and fill with water. Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat and let sit for at least 15 to 20 minutes, although longer is fine. Strain the shells and discard.
• Coat a large, wide pot with olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Add the andouille and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the sausage starts to brown. Add the peppers, celery, and onion to the pan, season with salt and a pinch crushed red pepper. Cook 7 to 8 minutes or until the mixture has softened and is very aromatic. Toss in the garlic and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes. Add the tomatoes and cayenne. Stir in the rice.
• Add 4 cups shrimp stock, bay leaves, and thyme bundle. Season with salt and taste it to make sure you are on the way to something delicious. Cover and cook over medium heat for 25 minutes.
• Stir in the shrimp and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink. Serve garnished with chopped scallions.

CREOLE JAMBALAYA

Steps:

• Place ham, sausages, and onions in 3-quart saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat until onions are soft. No need to add any oil as the meat will provide enough fat for cooking. Add rice and stir well. Add all other ingredients. Bring to a boil. Let boil for 5 minutes. Lower heat. Cover pot tightly and let cook slowly for 35 minutes or until rice is tender. With a fork, fluff rice up, mixing sausages well.

ULTIMATE GULF COAST GUMBO

Steps:

• Peel and devein the shrimp and place in the refrigerator. Place shrimp heads and shells in a large pot, and cover with 2 quarts of water. Cover, and simmer over medium-low heat until liquid is reduced by half. Strain out and discard shrimp heads and shells. Reserve shrimp broth.
• Heat oil in a very large stockpot over medium-high heat. Stir in flour with a long-handled spoon. Cook and stir for several minutes until dark brown and flour is puffing and absorbing the oil. Slowly stir in chicken broth and an equal amount of water. Place chicken in the pot. Add onions, celery, bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, Old Bay seasoning, and salt. Boil until chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove chicken from the pot, and set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove and discard bones, and chop chicken into 1 inch pieces.
• Return chicken back to the pot, along with reserved shrimp broth, crab meat, sausage, and shrimp. Add the file powder, and stir from the bottom of the pot. When the gumbo comes to a boil, remove from heat. Continue to stir from the bottom for 1 minute. Serve.