Kick off Mardi Gras and Carnival season with a meatless twist on the Creole favorite, jambalaya from the editors of Food.com.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 cups yellow onions, finely diced
- 1 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 cup celery, finely diced
- 2 cups eggplants, finely diced
- 1 cup yellow squash, diced
- 1 cup zucchini, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons shallots, chopped
- 3 cups tomatoes, chopped
- salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ – 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning, to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 bay leaves
- 4 cups long grain rice
- 1 cup tomato paste
- 8 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup green onion, chopped
Directions:
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat.
- Add the onions, shallots, celery, bell peppers and garlic and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the eggplant, squash, and zucchini, and sauté until they’re tender, about other 5 minutes or so.
- Add the tomatoes.
- Season with salt, Creole seasoning, and additional cayenne, if desired and add the bay leaves.
- Add the rice and stir for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Heat the tomato paste in a non-stick pan and stir, making sure it doesn’t stick or burn, until the sugars in the paste begin to caramelize, and the paste begins to turn a deep mahogany color.
- Deglaze with some of the vegetable stock, stir and combine thoroughly.
- Add the tomato paste to the rest of the vegetable stock and stir until well blended.
- Add the vegetable stock/tomato mixture to vegetables, stir and cover.
- Cook for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Do not stir the jambalaya while it is cooking.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the green onions and mix thoroughly.
- Garnish with some fresh long chives, and serve alongside a salad.
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