Marcelle Bienvenu's jambalaya

Jambalaya is a staple of the 225 Club's tailgate diet. We have our own favorite, but jambalayas are like snowflakes: No two are the same, but each one is beautiful.

 

When we asked our friends at Louisiana Cookin' for a down-home jambalaya recipe, they sent us this one from popular cookbook author Marcelle Bienvenu. Try it next to our jambalaya and see what you think. Or, better yet, have your jambalaya with some crawfish pie and filé gumbo.

Heat the butter in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, celery and garlic. Cook, stirring, until they are soft and lightly golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the shrimp and ham. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink. Stir in the tomatoes and chicken broth. Season to taste with salt and cayenne. Add the bay leaves and the rice. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the rice is tender and all the liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and serve. Pass the hot sauce!

 

Serves 4 to 6.