Friday, June 27, 2008

VEGETARIAN JAMBALAYA

Jambalaya is a Louisiana Creole dish of Spanish and French creation.It is traditionally made in one pot, with meats and vegetables, and is completed by adding stock and rice. There are two primary methods of making jambalaya.

The first and most common is Creole jambalaya (also called "red jambalaya"). First, meat is added, usually chicken and sausage such as andouille or smoked sausage. Then, vegetables and tomatoes are added to cook, then seafood. Rice and stock are added in equal proportions at the very end. The mix is brought to a boil and left to simmer for 20-60 minutes, depending on the recipe, with infrequent stirring. Towards the end of the cooking process, stirring usually ceases.

The second style, more characteristic of southwestern and south-central Louisiana, is Cajun jambalaya(also known as brown jambalaya) which contains no tomatoes. The meat is browned in a cast-iron pot. The bits of meat that stick to the bottom of the pot are what give a Cajun jambalaya its brown color. A little vegetable oil is added if there is not enough fat in the pot. The trinity (of onions, celery, and green bell pepper) is added and sautéed until soft. Stock and seasonings are added in the next step, and then the meats are returned to the pot. This mixture is then simmered, covered, for at least one hour. Lastly, the mixture is brought to a boil and rice is added to the pot. It is then covered and left to simmer over very low heat for at least 1/2 hour without stirring. The dish is finished when the rice has cooked.(Source - Wikipedia)

Cajun Jambalaya has more of a smoky and spicy flavor than creole.
Here i have prepared the Cajun style vegetarian jambalaya but i have added tomatoes into this because i love its flavor in the rice.

I am sending this to mixed rice varieties event hosted by easycrafts of simple Indian food.

INGREDIENTS

Rice - 2 cups

Onion - 1 medium size, diced

Green pepper - half a piece, chopped fine

Mixed vegetables in cajun sauce - 1 can or (1 chopped celery stick and 1/2 cup of cooked kidney beans)

garlic - 2 cloves, chopped fine

green chillies - 2 nos,chopped fine

red chilli pdr - 1 1/2 tsp

paprika - 2 tsp

cajun seasoning - according to ones taste

tomato paste - 2 tbsp

oil and butter - 1 tbsp each

water - 3 1/2 cups

salt

METHOD


Wash,clean and soak the rice for 1/2 an hr.Heat oil and butter in a wide ,deep bottom vessel.Add garlic,green chillies,onions, and green pepper.Add salt and saute until the onion turns translucent.Drain out the water from the can and add it into the pan.Stir it for a couple of minutes and add the spices and stir for a couple more mins.Then add the tomato paste and combine it well with the rest of the ingredients.Now add the rice and stir for sometime.Pour water,check salt,cover and let it cook until the water evaporates.Do not stir the rice in between.WAit till all the water is evaporated.Serve it hot.


25 comments:

Sum Raj said...

nice delicious entry ranji....first time hearing the work cajun....and nice topic also..rice looks attractive and colourful... tasty tasty

Priya said...

The jambalaya looks yummy Ranji, I am always tempted to cook it when I watch it on Food TV. Thanks for the veggie version :)

kamala said...

Looks delicious Ranji.....I am drooling over the pic.Great entry

Dori said...

The rice looks and sounds good, especially with the good descriptions!

FH said...

YUM! Tried the real deal in New Orleans, this looks better. You didn't add slimy Okras before frying like them, did you? :D

ranji said...

suma....thank u so much..try cajun dishes..they have an absolutely great flavor that is sooo addictive..try it..

Thank u so much priya,kamala and meeso..

Asha..no i ddint add okra..i didnt know jambalayas have okras..basically gumbos need okras right??..These were good without the okras too :D.

Cham said...

Love Jambalaya, never tried veg version:) I want to digg right away, delicious

Anonymous said...

oh! my goodness! the picture of Jambalaya is so tempting ranji. I will have to give it a try for sure.

Arundathi said...

omg ranji - absolutely love your jambalaya! :-) can you pass some over - i'm sure we dont get cajun seasoning here!

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Vegetarian version, that's nice. I have only read about this and heard it in the Carpenters' song....Jambalaya, more fish pie, Billy gumbo...........

@the_whisk_affair said...

oh wow!! u made jambalaya, ranji!? i admire u..i've heard of this dish but never ever thought of making this before!! great..the pictures are drool-worthy!

Unknown said...

the 'Jambalaya' looks sinfully yummy Chef Ranji.:)) I think its a spicier version of our classic 'Fried Rice!'..:D. Could you please pass on that plate.. I am sure, wud eat off the whole thing!

Hugs,
Siri

Lore said...

Thanks for the info on Jambalaya, your looks mighty good! Yummy (*going for my fork*)

Unknown said...

wow that looks like our biriyani:) never had jambalaya till now, you make me tempt to have that:)

ST said...

Looks delicious and yummy.I am drooling over the pic.Gr8 entry.

Unknown said...

Vegetarian jambalaya..Superb creation..never thought we could have veggie version..loved it..

vandana rajesh said...

yummy jambalaya...ranji. Have seen it on quite a few sites but never tried it. Now when it's come from u...i know it is a good reliable recipe. Will definitely try it.

EC said...

Thanks for this yummy dish...

Unknown said...

Excellent Ranji and I have bookmarked it.A new dish for me to try out soon.

Swati Raman Garg said...

wowwww... i came in here to check if theres somethnig new in ur page... and wowy.. this is such a delight to a hungry me.... and i like d sound of the name hehee...

Madhavi said...

Awesome entry Ranji, jambalaya looks divine, yummmmm. Will try soon.

I have something for u, check out my blog:)))

Kalai said...

I love cajun food and this looks so colorful and yummy!! Nice one! :)

Divya Kudua said...

you've been hugged!!

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Divya Kudua said...

yummy jambalaya ranji...have heard a lot about this,but first time i am seeing a vegetarian version..i just got lucky!!!;-)definitely gonna try this!!great entry!!

Vaidehi Bhave said...

what a beautiful dish.. :P ... I m hungry now