CAJUN RICE SAUSAGE RECIPES

Steps:

• The most important thing is to use the right equipment and I would suggest the following: a 2-gallon cast iron Dutch oven, a high BTU gas stove, and a large stainless steel chef's spoon.
• Use high heat to preheat the Dutch oven and add the sausage. Using a chef's spoon or large spoon, constantly move the sausage from the bottom of the pot. Be careful not to burn the meat. (Normally I use Manda's sausage because it has little fat, however at this point you may want to drain off all of the excess grease to reduce the fat content from the dish.)
• Add the thigh meat and brown the chicken on all sides. Again use the spoon to scrape the meat from sticking and burning to the bottom of the pot. Browning the sausage and chicken meats should take 20 minutes. Be careful not to over cook the thigh meat to the point that it shreds.
• Lower the heat to medium and add the onions and garlic; saute for about 15 minutes or until the onions are very limp and "clear". Scrape the bottom of the pot to remove all the "graton". This is where the jambalaya gets its distinct brown color and taste.
• Add the tasso, thyme, basil and black and white pepper. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. This will give the seasonings time to release their oils and flavors.
• At this point the jambalaya concentrate can be transferred to smaller containers, cooled to room temperature, covered and refrigerated for future use. (This is what we do commercially; it allows the seasonings to marry.)
• When you are ready to cook the jambalaya, add the stock to the concentrate and bring to a rolling boil. Add the rice, reduce the heat to medium and gently break up the rice. Using the stainless steel paddle, continue to insure that the rice is not sticking to the bottom of the pot; this is very important!
• After about 5 minutes, fold in the parsley. Continue to scrape the pot to insure that no rice sticks to the bottom. When the jambalaya returns to a boil, reduce heat to the lowest possible setting and simmer, covered, for at least 25 minutes. Do not remove the cover while the rice is steaming.
• If Manda's brand sausage is not available, any lean smoked sausage can be substituted. You may have to remove any excess grease from the pot after frying down an unknown sausage.
• For a richer jambalaya substitute turkey stock for the chicken stock called for above.
• If no stocks are available, then chicken soup base can be used. Be careful with your seasoning, as bases are usually full of salt.
• Alternate Method:
• The jambalaya is best when served directly out of the cast iron pot. While the rice is steaming, the sausage and meat will have a tendency to float to the surface of the jambalaya. Therefore, after the rice has steamed for 25 minutes, use the paddle to gently fold in the meat and seasonings into the cooked rice. This should only be done once or twice, the rice will loose a lot of heat and the rice will break apart.
• Also note, I do not add salt to my jambalaya. This is because I like to use herbs, tasso and seasonings to satisfy the need for salt. I would suggest having the table set with salt shakers and a selection of hot pepper sauces.
• Plate Presentation:

Steps:

• In a large pan, heat 1 teaspoon oil over medium-high heat.
• When the oil is hot, add the sausage in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until browned. Transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside.
• Add the chopped shrimp to a plate or mixing bowl and season with the Cajun seasoning blend.
• Add 1 teaspoon oil to the pan and decrease the heat to medium.
• Add the onion, cauliflower rice, and salt and cook, stirring often, for 3 to 5 minutes, until the onions are soft and translucent and any residual moisture from the cauliflower has cooked off.
• Add the seasoned shrimp, scallion whites (reserve the greens for garnish), and garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the garlic is fragrant and the scallions start to soften. It’s OK if the shrimp isn’t completely cooked through at this stage.
• Push everything to one side of the pan.
• Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil to the pan along with the brown rice and soy sauce.
• Stir to incorporate, increase the heat to medium-high, and cook without stirring for 2 to 3 minutes so the bottom starts to become crispy.
• Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, just until the rice is heated through.
• Push the rice to the side of the pan with the cooked vegetables and pour the beaten eggs into the pan. Use a spatula to scramble them until they are just barely cooked.
• Add the reserved andouille sausage to the pan and stir everything to incorporate.
• If needed, season with more salt. Serve immediately, garnished with scallion greens and (optional) hot sauce.