Paul Prudhomme Jambalaya Food

PAUL PRUDHOMME'S POORMAN'S JAMBALAYA

Steps:

• Seasoning Mix: Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
• Jambalaya: Use a large, heavy skillet, cast iron is best; over high heat melt margarine; add tasso and andouille, or ham and sausage, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add onions, celery, bell pepper, seasoning mix and garlic; stir and cook 10-12 minutes until well browned, scraping the bottom of the pan well.
• Stir in rice and cook 5 minutes, again scraping the pan bottom often; add stock.
• Bring mixture to boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, about 20 minutes, until rice is tender but still a bit crunchy; stir a bit towards the end of the cooking time; remove bay leaves and serve.

SHRIMP JAMBALAYA

Steps:

• Peel and devein the shrimp. The shells may be used to make a broth (see recipe).
• Heat the oil in a kettle or large saucepan with a heavy bottom over medium heat. Add the flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned. Do not burn.
• Add the onion, green onions, green pepper, celery and garlic. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Add ham and stir. Add the tomatoes, thyme and oregano, and bring to a boil. Stir in the uncooked rice, if desired. Add salt, pepper and shrimp broth. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, about 25 minutes; add the shrimp and stir. Cook about 10 minutes longer or until it has thickened, but is still slightly soupy. Serve in bowls with chopped green onions on the side as an optional garnish.

CHICKEN AND TASSO JAMBALAYA

Steps:

• Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in small bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over high heat. Add the tasso and cook until meat starts to brown, about 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add chicken and continue cooking until chicken is brown, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently and scraping pan bottom well. Stir in the seasoning mix and 1/2 cup each of the onions, celery, and bell peppers and the garlic. Cook until vegetables start to get tender, about 5 to 8 minutes, stirring fairly constantly and scraping pan bottom as needed. Stir in the tomato sauce and cook about 1 minute, stirring often. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup each of the onions, celery, and bell peppers and the tomatoes. Remove from heat. Stir in the stock and rice, mixing well. Transfer mixture to an ungreased 8x8-inch baking pan. Bake uncovered in a 350° oven until rice is tender but still a bit crunchy, about 1 hour. Remove from oven. Stir well and remove bay leaves Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
• To serve, mold rice in an 8-ounce cup and place 2 cups on each serving plate for a main course or 1 cup for an appetizer.

PAUL PRUDHOMME'S CAJUN MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, bell peppers, green onions, garlic, Tabasco, Worcestershire and seasoning mix.
• Saute until mixture starts sticking excessively; about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the pan bottom well.
• Stir in the milk and catsup.
• Continue cooking for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool to room temperature. REMOVE BAY LEAVES.
• Place ground beef and pork in an ungreased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
• Add the eggs, cooked vegetable mixture (cooled) and the bread crumbs. Mix by hand until thoroughly combined.
• In the center of the pan, shape the mixture into a loaf that is about 1 1/2 inches high, 6 inches wide and 12 inches long.
• Bake uncovered at 350° for 25 minutes, then raise heat to 400° and continue to cook until done, about 35 minutes longer.
• Serve Immediately as is or with "Very Hot Cajun Sauce for Beef".

BLACKENED FISH

Steps:

• Mix together paprika, dry mustard, cayenne pepper, cumin, black pepper, white pepper, thyme, and salt in a small bowl.
• Heat a heavy cast iron pan on high heat until extremely hot, about 10 minutes.
• While the pan is heating, pour 3/4 cup melted butter into a shallow dish. Dip each fillet into butter, turning once to coat both sides. Sprinkle both sides of fillets with spice mixture; gently pat mixture onto fish.
• Working in batches, place fillets into the hot pan without crowding. Carefully pour about 1 teaspoon melted butter over each fillet. Cook until fish has a charred bottom, about 2 minutes. Turn fillets and spoon about 1 teaspoon melted butter over each. Continue cooking until bottoms are charred, 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining fish.