For all my Florida folks who won’t be making it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras today, this recipe for Florida Jambalaya will allow you to laissez les bons temps rouler without ever leaving our fabulous state!
I discovered this recipe in Bon Appétit magazine about twenty years ago when I was just learning my way around the kitchen. After making this dish for the first time I thought, “Wow, I actually made that!” and I was officially hooked on cooking. This recipe has been one of my signature dishes ever since and over the years I’ve had the chance to make it for friends from Denver, Colorado to New York City and it has always, I repeat, always garnered rave reviews.
The word jambalaya has French origins, stemming from the word “jambalaia” which, according to Merriam-Webster, originated in Southern France as part of the Occitan language. This recipe for Florida Jambalaya differs substantially from the two traditional styles of Jambalaya, Creole and Cajun. Creole jambalaya hails from the French Quarter of New Orleans and originated as an attempt to make Spanish paella in the New World. Saffron, an intrinsic component of paella, was not readily available so tomatoes were substituted instead. Creole jambalaya also involves the essential component of Louisiana cooking called the “trinity”, a mixture of celery, onion and green pepper. This incarnation also calls for a combination of meats including chicken and/or andouille sausage as well as seafood. Cajun jambalaya, on the other hand, originated in the rural, low lying swamp country of Louisiana where crayfish, oysters and turtles were plentiful. It is smokier and spicier than Creole and does not call for tomatoes. The meat in the dish was usually browned to give the dish its color which is why it is often referred to as “Brown Jambalaya.”
Florida jambalaya is just that, Florida’s take on this Louisiana classic. It is, at best, loosely based on the traditional preparation in that it calls for sausage, seafood and rice. Instead of andouille sausage, this recipe calls for kielbasa and for the shrimp, Key West pinks make a delicious choice. The recipe itself is pretty straightforward and only takes about an hour to make which includes cooking time. As for a dry, white wine to use in the recipe, I like something with a French twist such as the Michel Redde Sancerre “Les Tuilieres” from the Loire or the Maison Joseph Drouhin Vaudon Chablis from Burgundy. In addition to imparting delicious flavor, both wine make excellent choices to enjoy paired with the finished product.
In addition to making a delicious accompaniment to your Mardi Gras festivities, Florida Jambalaya is also a delicious meal at any time of the year. I hope you enjoy it tonight as you and your guests laissez les bons temps rouler!
Cheers,
Florida Jambalaya
Serves 4
3 Tablespoons salted butter
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 lb. Polska Kielbasa or other smoked sausage cut into 1/2″ pieces
1 cup long grain white rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 medium potatoes peeled and cut into 1″ cubes
2 1/4 cups canned chicken broth
1 4 ounce jar of sliced pimientos with juices
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Cayenne pepper to taste
1/2 lb. uncooked shrimp, peeled & deveined
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Melt butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until just soft, 3-5 minutes (be careful not to let the garlic burn). Add the kielbasa and cook until it begins to brown, approximately 5 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat. Mix in potatoes, broth, wine , pimientos and turmeric. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste. Bring to a boil and stir well. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover and cook until the rice and potatoes are tender and liquid is absorbed, approximately 25 minutes.
Mix in shrimp and cilantro. Cover and cook until shrimp are cooked, 5 minutes. Serve on a large platter and garnish with more chopped fresh cilantro.
If you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal that will delight your family’s taste buds look no further! This Lemony Chicken & Orzo Soup fits the bill beautifully.
The fresh dill and lemon make this dish perfect for Spring and also give it a delicious Greek spin. The recipe calls for skinless, boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts which add the perfect amount of body to the soup and make it really satisfying.
Orzo is Italian for “barley” yet don’t be fooled by it’s grain-like appearance. Orzo is actually pasta that’s cut in the shape of a grain of rice and can be found on the pasta aisle of your grocery store. It is quite versatile and makes a delicious side dish and also adds delicious texture to soups and salads.
A great wine pairing for this soup is a Sauvignon Blanc which picks up on the acidity of the soup and adds even more delicious flavor. One of my favorites if “the girls in the vineyard” Sauvignon Blanc ($15) which is crisp and minerally with lots of juicy flavor. I hope you enjoy this dish as much as we did and next time I make it I will definitely be doubling the recipe!
Cheers,
Lemony Chicken & Orzo Soup
(adapted from Bon Appetit magazine, April 2013)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium leek, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise 1/2″ thick
2 celery stalks, sliced crosswise, 1/2″ thick
1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs
6 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup orzo
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
Kosher salt and freshly group black pepper
Lemon wedges for serving
Heat oil in a large heavy soup pot over medium heat. Add leek and celery and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are soft, approximately 5 minutes. Add chicken and broth and bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 15-20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and let cool. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite sized pieces.
Return the broth to a boil and add the orzo. Cook until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Once orzo is done, return chicken to the pot and add the fresh dill and cook over low heat until chicken is warmed through, about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over the soup. Calories: 200; Fat: 7 grams; Fiber: 1 gram. Serves: 4
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