Jersey Jambalaya

Jersey Jambalay is a delicious recipe that goes well on rice. I don’t know if this recipe is actually from New Jersey, but it’s a simplified East Coast version of the New Orleans classic. For the sake of convenience, the frozen green beans with mushrooms are an acceptable substitute for fresh vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white rice
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 16-ounce can tomatoes, drained
• 1 9-ounce package frozen green beans with mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 dashes of Tabasco sauce

Directions:

1. Cook the rice according to the package directions, but stop the cooking 10 minutes before it’s done. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat the oil until it shimmers in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and onion and cook, stirring, until the shrimp begins to turn pink. Add the tomatoes, beans with mushrooms, 2/3 cup water, the salt, pepper, thyme, and Tabasco. Bring to a boil, separating the frozen vegetables. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
3. Stir in the partly cooked rice. Cover and simmer for 10 more minutes, until the rice is done.

Contributed By: Celebrity Chef Charles Mattocks