Gulf Coast Jambalaya

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter (or bacon drippings, if you have them)
• 2 tablespoons minced parsley
• 1/2 lb cubed ham (preferably cure 81 or other cured ham)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 2 large bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 cups cold water
• 2 cups converted rice (raw)
• 1 1/2 lbs fresh shrimp or 1 1/2 lbs frozen raw shrimp, shelled and deveined

Recipe

• 1 saute onion, garlic, green pepper and celery in butter or bacon grease in large heavy pan over moderate heat for 12 minutes or until onion is golden brown.
• 2 add parsley, ham, thyme and bay leaves.
• 3 fry, stirring often for another 5 minutes.
• 4 add pepper sauce, salt tomatoes, tomato sauce and the water.
• 5 simmer for five minutes.
• 6 add rice, adjusting heat so liquid boils very gently, cover and cook for 30 minutes.
• 7 add shrimp to float on top (don't mix in- it's intended to steam on the top), re-cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes (depends on size of shrimp) or until shrimp are cooked, rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
• 8 taste for salt and pepper needed.
• 9 toss lightly and serve.