A few weekends ago our good friend, beer partner and former bakery employee Jeff came over to cook up a storm. Jeff’s wife is working on her medical residency out of town for a few weeks, so we decided a group dinner would make a lonely weekend more festive.
Jeff mixed our sponges and doughs for a few months while he was looking for a job after he and his wife moved to Virginia. He actually has a doctorate in music! We were happy and sad when he left the bakery for a music teaching position.
Before coming to Charlottesville, Jeff spent over a decade in and around New Orleans. He was in Louisiana when Katrina pounded ashore in 2005, and he had planned to ride out the storm at home until a last minute plea from his mom (who happens to be named Katrina) sent him northward. As it turned out, Jeff’s house in Slidell completely flooded. He lost everything in the hurricane but went back and rebuilt.
While studying music at LSU, Jeff needed a job to help pay the bills and was hired as a cook. The first Cajun dish he learned to make was chicken sauce piquante. He later mastered all of the great Cajun dishes, jambalaya included. Many jambalayas contain scraps of meat from the week’s meals, often chicken and duck. Our version featured chicken and Andouille sausage.
You may be wondering how I convinced Jeff to leave out the onions – one of the three vegetables in the Cajun holy trinity {onions, bell peppers and celery.} I didn’t! I wanted the dish to be as authentic as possible, but I did have him chop them on his own cutting board and cook them until they melted into the rice ; )
While the dish took a while to simma down, the recipe was surprisingly easy. And warning: it makes a HUGE pot! We had big servings for dinner two nights in a row and at least 6 more as leftovers. This recipe feeds a crowd. When we reheated the leftovers, we added some water to rehydrate the rice – just enough to moisten it through.
Jeff's Jambalaya
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 ½-2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 24 ounces andouille sausage medium dice
- 2 cups yellow onions medium dice
- 1 cup green bell peppers cored, seeded, and medium dice
- 1 cup celery stalks medium dice
- 2 medium garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 can 10 oz Ro-tel brand crushed tomatoes w/ chiles
- 3 cups long-grain white rice
- 12 oz favorite beer brown ale
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock or broth
- approx. 1- 1 ½ Tablespoon s Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning (to taste- when its salty enough, it has enough spice)
- a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce We use Crystal Brand and Louisiana Brand in our house
Instructions
- Season Chicken with salt and pepper – brown (in half the oil)
- Brown andouille sausage in chicken renderings
- Add remaining oil and cook onions, peppers, celery and garlic until translucent (approx. 10 min, medium heat)
- Add chicken and andouille during the last 2 minutes of cooking vegetables
- Add beer, Ro-tel, and chicken stock, bring to a boil
- Add rice, Tony Chachere’s, and hot sauce, stir- reduce to simmer (LOW)
- Cover, cook for thirty minutes, DO NOT STIR
- ENJOY
I absolutely loved the jambalaya, and the Andouille really made the dish. It not only added an extra layer of seasoning, but the kick from the spices left my mouth just barely on fire and excited the whole meal.
I asked Jeff if it was appropriate to enjoy my jambalaya with a dollop of plain yogurt. His answer: “Absolutely not.” Ha!
And finally, this was my first time trying the Louisiana Crystal Hot Sauce. Man was it good! Much better than Cholula, Frank’s and Tabasco combined, in my opinion.
This hot + saucy baby says try this recipe!
Jackie says
Yum! This sounds so easy!
Chelsea says
Looks good! I’ll have to try it!
Also, while I don’t know Jeff, obviously, ha, it’s probably not a Ph.D. in music that he has, but a DMA, or a Doctor of Musical Arts, unless it’s something like music theory or music therapy or something.
KathEats says
You’re probably right – I’ll go change it and check with him : )
KathEats says
Does this fit? “he has a doctorate in music”
Chelsea says
Absolutely! And who knows, like I said, I may be wrong and it may very well be a Ph.D.! I work at a music school, though, and I know all we offer is a DMA.
Avodah says
He may very well have a PhD in music. It depends on if he did theory, ethnomusicolgy, performance, composition. I know for a fact that one of the very best schools in the world offers a PhD in music. (sry to soapbox, I always feel like I am defending all of academia)
Chelsea says
True! Definitely a possibility, and now that I see it does look like LSU offers both, so who knows. 🙂
Laura says
Hi Kath!
I love your blog and I have been reading for a few years now. I really love this recipe; New Orleans is one of my favorite cities on earth and their cuisine is undeniably gorgeous. Question: What is with the constant stream of McDonald’s ads on your blog these days? It seems like this goes against the whole “Real Food” thing you have going. As much as I love your blog, this seems a little hypocritical.
Thanks, Kath 🙂
KathEats says
It’s a campaign that’s running this month. Not the best fit, but not the worst.
Jessica says
I would love to hear your thoughts on how its not the worst fit! Obviously we only know what you present on your blog and it seems a pretty odd fit to an outsider 😀 I’ve commented before that I think making money from your blog to help support your family is completely your prerogative, so no judgments here. Just curious. Thanks.
KathEats says
Because there is real food on all corners of the earth. McDs might be the only option for some at some times and there are foods there I think are fine (salads and the like). A company who made only 100% processed foods would be a worse option.
Lidia says
Right! And depending on how you view “processing”, a company like Fage would definitely sell 100% processed food! After all, cooking, thickening and straining is definitely processing milk to make it into Greek Yogurt.
KathEats says
The good thing is we get to define our own food rules : )
Amanda says
Yes we do. Thankfully! One thing that is right for someone may not be right for another. For example: meat eaters vs. vegetarians/vegans. (My husband eats meat but I only eat certain animal products so we have this conversation often:) Everyone can make an educated argument for what and why they think something is right or wrong. Everyone has to do what’s right for them. I don’t like McDonalds however if I don’t have much of an option at least they do sell salads, wraps, fruit, oatmeal, coffee and unsweetened tea…..if I’m in a pinch.
Laura says
i really do think it is one of the worst fits.
Shannon says
Kath, I am shocked and in disbelief that you support McDonald’s on your blog. It seems to fly in face of everything you stand for. When was the last time you ate McDonald’s? I recognize your point that in food wastelands and for low income families McDonald’s in some situations can be the best or only option but does that me that you have to endorse them? By putting and ad for McDonald’s on your personal blog you are in fact endorsing them. Please help us readers understand why you’ve made this decision.
Trudy says
Also, on the right hand side I see a Coke ad. If that’s not 100% processed food I don’t know what is…
I just wonder what the justification is? You’re receiving money from companies that are pretty questionable ethically speaking. Don’t get me wrong I love reading your blog and getting a peek into your life, and I definitely think you deserve income for all the hard work you put into it! We all need to make a living. But not at the expense of our core values.
KathEats says
I haven’t seen a Coke ad, but I will look into that one. (But I DO drink diet drinks when I visit my parents! Just an FYI).
KathEats says
I don’t have Coke listed in my ad que. One thing to note: I have some Google Ads, which uses cookies to choose which ads to show based on the sites you have been to. Sometimes if I’ve been at Birchbox or Zappos all of the ads on sites I visit have these. So it’s possible that a site you visited had something to do with Coke and it’s bringing that back up. When I say I don’t have control over all of the ads posted, this is what I am talking about. Hope that helps clarify a bit.
Shannon says
It does clarify why we might see Coke or possibly McDonald’s ads given your explanation except that you started your response in this thread saying about McDonald’s “It’s a campaign that’s running this month.” So I guess you’ve explained the coke ad but not the McDonald’s ad. For McDonald’s you know its running this month and I would really love to hear more about why you supported it.
Trudy says
It is actually under “Kerf Sponsors”. I took a screen shot I can email you if you’re interested. And honestly I think there is a big difference between occasionally enjoying processed food (something I think we all do!) and openly promoting them for a profit. Again, not disputing your right to make money off your blog but when it conflicts directly with the message of your blog…. I don’t know something just doesn’t seem quite right.
KathEats says
All of the ads are listed that way. But send me the screen shot anyways please. Like I said though, I can only control so much.
Tonya says
+1000! That’s the point I’ve been dying to make every time I see these “why Mcdonald’s??” comments. It’s based on your GOOGLE SEARCH/CLICK HISTORY! LOL!!
Mari says
Kath, I’m not really sure why you rejected my comment that rationalizing McDonalds food as “real” food or somehow *not* processed food is acceptable in light of your (and your readers’) food philosophy. As a loyal reader for years, I’d like to think I can politely offer argument. I understand if you reject hateful or inappropriate comments, but disagreement and debate is what — I think — makes the blog medium so interesting for readers.
I don’t judge you, but I do think it’s horrendous that companies like McDonalds are trying to market their food as somehow healthy by slapping their brands on sites like this one.
Tonya says
**Sorry for the double post but I replied under the wrong comment** I may be wrong, but I thought the ads you see are intuitive based on your click history…..So for everyone upset about seeing McDonald’s ads and the like, I find it very funny!
Meg says
The recipe looks good! I would have been quite embarrassed to ask my dinner guest to cut his own onions on his own cutting board, though. I am also OCD about onion and garlic smells on my hands/dishes/clothing and, personally, have always found it rude to assume that everyone is alright with changing their recipe to suit my needs. Any thoughts?
KathEats says
It was totally fine.
Tonya says
My brother hates onions. He would have done this as well. LOL! His bday is on the 4th of July and one year when we were kids, my mom chopped onions for the hotdogs, washed the knife and used it to cut the cake. HE FREAKED OUT! LOL!! “IT TASTES LIKE ONIONS!” If you’re someone who hates onions, trust me, it’s way deeper than most other dislikes. They can taste onion residue in ANYTHING! Plus, Jeff is her FRIEND. I’m sure he totally got it and was cool. Probably even teased her a bit. LOL
KathEats says
I’m sure I could have tasted that too. The flavor is hard to get rid of!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
That looks delicious! I’ve only had jambalaya once: a friend of mine went to Tulane for a year and during a school break he made it for a couple of us. I guess one year was all he needed to fall in love with the culture and food in New Orleans!
Janelle says
Yay – my husband will be so excited for this recipe! I had no idea it had beer in it – going to have to find a gluten free one to make it work.
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
This looks so good! I know my husband would love this dish — perhaps making it is a good way to earn some “wife points” 🙂
Happy Friday!
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
The recipe sounds delicious!
Grace says
I have to be honest, I would be rather annoyed with you if I were Jeff. He offered to come and cook for you, and you place onion stipulations on him! It seems like it would be no big deal to wash a cutting board of onions. I am extremely allergic to eggs and I absolutely despise them, but I will buy them and my husband eats them every day! I just stay out of his way and he cleans the pan. Done and done 🙂
KathEats says
We are good friends. We laughed about it.
Jenn says
Apologies if you’ve addressed this before, but I’m curious what your plan is if Mazen has a strong food dislike (not an allergy). Keep encouraging him to try it?
I get that you don’t like onions (and that’s your right) but the lengths you’ll go to avoid them is mind boggling.
Kim says
Kath~ I’m with you with the onion aversion. While I cook with them occasionally at home, (cooked down to smithereens in soups) I have to use a separate cutting board. I literally gag if I even accidentally bite down onto a raw onion piece.
MelanieF says
Onions do have a stong smell, and the smell stays on the cutting board more than some other vegetables. It’s not a right to hate onions, it has to do with your taste. I hate radishes, I have tried them over and over again, but I just hate the taste of it and the smell as well.
Kate L says
Bring my own cutting board? No problem! Don’t like onions? No worries! Allegric to gluten? Done and done! But the minute you ask me to switch out real butter for processed margarine, the friendship is over! LOL 🙂
KathEats says
Love buttah
Becky says
Word to you (and Jeff who so kindly shared his fermenting okra tips with me this summer) – Double H Andouille sausage is worth seeking out. It’s the best Andouille outside of Louisiana. They have a stand down at market. I know you can find their sausage at other venues around town, but I’m not sure where.
Love Jambalaya. Jeff’s recipe is very similar to a recipe I’ve inherited from a friend who went to school down there as well, although we tend to throw lots of seafood in as well. (Mussels are divine in there!)
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
I love jambalaya as it is…but I am sure it’s INCREDIBLE when it’s made by someone who really knows their stuff! Authentic is best!!
dianna says
thanks for sharing the recipe, kath- can’t wait to make this for my family. quick question- did you shred or otherwise cut up the thighs after browning them?
KathEats says
Yes, they were chopped roughly
Lindsey @ The Hungry Hydrologist says
Ooh this looks great! I lived in New Orleans for two years and taught high school in Laplace, LA- the Andouille Capital of the World! (or so they claim on their water tower…) This looks like a great jambalaya to me, and reminds me of Friday nights at the football stadium. The kids’ moms would cook up a ridiculous vat of jambalaya and it was the best I had in all of New Orleans. I still dream of going back one fall for a Friday night game, a daiquiri, and a bowl of that jambalaya… but maybe now I can make it in my home!
Liz says
Quick question about the recipe! Do you remove the chicken and sausage after browning, and then add them back in the last two minutes of cooking the veggies? The way it’s worded confuses me, but I want to make this. My husband would love it!
KathEats says
Yes. Sorry about that
Holly G. says
Looks great! Can’t wait to try this recipe the next time I have people over. Did Mazen get to try any, or was it too spicy?
KathEats says
Too spicy but he had a bite or so of rice
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
Ha, I love your face in the picture with the onions! (And for the record–I don’t think it’s offensive at all that you asked him to use his own cutting board–friends never seem to get in the same tizzy that (relative) strangers do about silly things like that).
Melissa says
Such a cute photo of Mazen, the candid photos are the best!
Sara says
Love Crystal hot sauce! It’s got the perfect amount of heat + tang 🙂
Randy says
I think a few of the comments made to Kath today were a bit harsh.
What we eat and like is a choice and there is nothing wrong with that. Not everybody eats the same things and it is perfectly fine to not like onions. I don’t see anything wrong with having “fast food” on occasion such as McDonald’s. The key is moderation and fast foods are getting more and more healthy all the time. We all, including myself have a particular craving for something that might not be the “perfect” food to eat and it is what we do most of the time that counts I think.
The dish that Jeff made looks absolutely delicious and would seem to be an inexpensive great dinner to have. I was wondering if there was a particular reason for using vegetable oil and white rice to make this dish. Could you substitute olive oil and or canola oil and brown rice without affecting the outcome of this particular dish?
I have to admit that I am a “hot sauce junkie” and have always preferred Chulula to anything else. Then, I tried Valentina and found it to be as good if not better than my old standby so I changed to that brand. And, at under 2.00 for a quart of it turned it into a great buy as well. It comes in regular (that is my preference) and extra hot. I have tried both and they are excellent but the extra hot one is all that it implies but not overly hot.
Thanks for all that you give Kath and have a great rest of your day!
Jessica says
Goodness people love to pick on you! Obviously you’re good enough friends that he doesn’t mind chopping the onions on his board. A good friend would never want to make a friend uncomfortable, he’s a keeper. I’m glad you enjoyed the jambalaya with onion anyhow. I love making it on football Sundays. Although I add shrimp to mine. As for the McDonalds ads…do people not realize this site is a source of income for you? You can always get a salad at McDonalds. Everyone needs to chill.
Jane says
I think it’s interesting that people either attack Kath for allowing sponsorships/ads like these or rush to her defense that it’s a source of income. Personally, I think there’s a middle ground that a lot of other bloggers and websites tread about where and from whom to accept sponsorships.
We all read and enjoy this blog and thus want it to succeed and prosper. But it’s also a slap in the face for readers to see sponsorships and ads from companies that so clearly fly in the face of the message of this blog.
Sarah says
Jessica I was thinking the exact same thing.
lucy says
Hi Kath, all these comments you get about the ads make me think. I’ve never seen any ads at all on your site! I thought i was just really good at blocking them out, but no they’re really not there. I’m in NZ – is it only your US readers who have to see them?
KathEats says
I think that is why, yes.
Ali says
You don’t like onions??? They are so good (especially caramelized!) and so good for you! Do you just not like the smell or the texture? I hate cucumbers but usually those are easy to pick off things.
KathEats says
I don’t like the smell/taste of raw onions, and unless they are cooked reallllly well that comes through with cooked too.
Jola says
I can’t believe, you ate something with that much onion in it! 😀
Kelly Michele says
oh my word how neat! 🙂 he was the band teacher at my high school NorthShore High in Slidell!! what are the odds! our band was always outstanding!
KathEats says
LOVE it when the world is small!!
Chelsea @ TableForOne says
That looks so tasty! My family is always making jambalaya and another rice dish from Brazil called Feijoada. We just can’t get enough of all the good flavors in those dishes.
Erin says
I honestly can’t believe the energy that people expend on things like complaining about the ads on this blog. I am not “rushing to Kath’s defense” – I think this is my 2nd comment in 3 or so years of reading – though I think Kath has gotten a great deal of ridiculously nitpicky critique over time. One of the downsides of putting yourself out there in a public forum, I suppose. I feel badly for the person who felt “slapped in the face” by the McDonalds ad; sounds like you must be consistently upset while watching tv, reading magazines, etc. Like viewing those medium, you choose to visit Kath’s blog, which I understand promotes a healthy eating philosophy. I subscribe to the same philosophy bit am not personally offended by an ad. I guess my overall thought is – it’s a blog, it’s entertaining, Kath offers us an informative, fun product – relax :).
Mari says
I’m the “slap in the face” reader, haha. Fair point — I agree that many readers are so nitpicky about everything Kath says/does, and feel bad reading the comments sometimes that she has to deal with these on a daily basis! My point was based on authenticity…I understand many other readers don’t really care, but seeing promotions from companies that so clearly contradict Kath’s core values feels inauthentic to me. There are so many other blogs out there (like 100 Days of Real Food or even Young House Love) where the bloggers also support themselves but only accept ads/promos from companies that they feel align with their own values. Not trying to be obnoxious, just reacting as a reader.
Livi says
oh my gosh! this looks awesome– I’ve been looking for an easy jambalaya recipe and I might just be able to conquer this one!
Amanda Cowan says
I always love jambalaya on top of rice that’s been cooked separately. Something about it altogether just doesn’t appeal as much. My favorite meat combo is a smoked sausage, chicken and shrimp. Yum! I might have to make some this week!
CK says
*Warning: Sarcasm ahead.* Kath, I am utterly shocked and dismayed by your staunch support and personal endorsement of the McDonald’s cooperation! Especially since they put onions on their burgers! 😉 What an utter hypocrisy of your food preferences and image! ;*End sarcasm* I’m sorry, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I’ve been reading your blog going on five years now and there have been very few times that I have really questioned any of your actions and/or even raised an eyebrow at the banner-ads. Even then, I kept my comments to myself. The extent to which some people feel the need to nit-pick others, blogger or not is what is a bit mind-boggling to me. Yes, you are in the public eye, but you don’t control the world. Also, I’ve actually not even seen any McDonald’s or Coca cola ads on here. That being said, I just really felt the need to inject some humour into the tail end of this tired discussion. 🙂 Keep on keepin’ on Kath. Not that you need another random opinion, but you’re great. Also, feel totally free to not let this comment through, or just edit the heck out of it if you’re able.
What I find funny can often come across as quite odd, especially in writing. I just found the criticisms on this post laughable and wanted to impart some levity, in my own strange way. As you can probably tell from my post joke ramblings I am not half as confident in myself as you appear to be. I truly hope you are. I could not even imagine putting myself outthere at the mercy of others scrutiny, despite the fact that I am comfortable in my life. I understand why you do though, your good examples and apparent happiness are both courageous and inspiring. So, many of us feel like we don’t deserve to be happy or satisfied these days. I think perhaps that it’s a residual school-girl type envy that drives others to lash out much of the time, even if they’re not aware of what it is they’re really feeling. Anywho, this has certainly gotten long-winded! Especially since I just thought I was just sharing my silly little quip. Thank you for always sharing your upbeat attitude and joyful life.
Kelly Kurcina says
We need a pic of the bottle of hot sauce Kath! ;=)
Doob says
Sometimes I use onion powder instead of real onions. As far as the ads go people need to chill out.
Christine says
I actually have to give you credit for even allowing the onions in the jambalya! I have the same aversion to bell pepper, any color, cooked or raw. I. Hate. Them. My friends and family know that if it has peppers, that’s okay, but I’m not going to eat it. I’d seriously rather not eat at all then to eat a dish with peppers and have gone so far as to tell people I am alergic to them just to avoid. So my hat is off to you for being open to the authenticity of the dish and keeping the onions in, good for you!
KathEats says
🙂
MelanieF says
It’s funny, I don’t even notice the ads on your site!! I just come here to read the content, I don’t really care about the ads! And I eat at Mcdonalds every once in a while…and yes, I have lost over 120 pounds still. Moderation people. Moderation.
Jeff V says
Glad so many people are excited about the recipe! My years in
Louisiana were some of the most incredible years of my life. To answer a few questions posted above,1. my PhD is in Musc Education from the University of Florida, I did my undergraduate at LSU. 2. I actually preferred prepping all the “trinity” vegetables including the onions at home in advance. Not Only because Kath is my friend and I know her preference to not be able to taste raw onions on the cheese or apples she slices the next day, but because I was able to bring the most tedious component (as un-tedious as it is) already prepared. Made for a speedier process on a week night.
I actually often have have leftover trinity vegetables already chopped in the fridge (sometimes freezer) for making other classic Cajun/creole dishes, like red beans and rice, or shrimp/crawfish étouffée.
3. Canola oil, butter, vegetable oil, or even olive oil ( in a pinch although not authentic ) would be fine.
Hope you all enjoy the recipe. Maybe Kath and Matt will have be over again soon and we will do another Louisiana favorite… GUMBEAUX ANYONE.!?!? ( That’s GUMBO for you non native Folks) ENJOY!
@Simple Green Moms says
This recipe looks much easier than most of the other Jambalaya recipes! Will definitely give this one a try =)
Shaila says
I made this over the weekend and my family devoured it! Great recipe. My 11 year old told me that its a “keeper”….also great town you live in. We miss it there! 🙂