Jambalaya - One complete meal

Jambalaya is a cajun/creole dish with Spanish and French Origin. There is an interesting folklore w.r.t the name of this dish which I got to know from research on the net.

It goes like this

“A gentleman stopped by a New Orleans inn late one night to find nothing left for him to dine upon. The owner thereupon told the cook, whose name was Jean, to "mix some things together" --balayez, in the dialect of Louisiana -- so the grateful guest pronounced the dish of odds-and-ends wonderful and named it "Jean Balayez."

There are many variation to this dish both vegetarian and non-veggie and needless to say I have a vegetarian version. What I luv about this dish is that it allows you to include as many vegetables as you have in your Fridge. Indians make this a whole lot, only they call it vegetable pulao :).






There are 2 main styles of cooking Jambalaya – with tomatoes and with no tomatoes which is Cajun style. I was in my usual weekend fridge cleaning mood – so with tomatoes and other numerous veggies it was decided thus to make my version. Although, i dint think of including black beans which I later did on my hubby's insistance who kept saying that all the restaurants that he ever had it was with black beans! Oh well, dunno if its his black beans fetish or jus the fact, i was convinced thanks to the nutritional value that it had to offer.

I usually always begin with providing the nutritional benefit of the dish made, but here, the post will run to pages if i start writing. So I have jus the gist of the whole in a few lines below :

1. Black beans are the forerunners of having anti oxidants among the beans family.Very rich in dietery fibre they help to lower cholestrol levels in the body. These are especially good for ppl with diabetes and hypoglycemia since it prevents blood sugar levels from rising rapidly after a meal.They are fat free and rich in protein and offer protection from heart dieses,ageing and cancer.
   
   
2. Fava beans are another rich source of protein.
   
   
3. Celery has a rich level of calcium.It eliminates body wastes through the urine and thus is a very good friend of Kidney. Reduces BP and helps ppl having arthiritis. But the best thing I like about Celery is that it is Negative calorie food :)
   
   
4. As for the benefits of rest of the ingredients I have added, I have to label with almost all the nutrients! You be the judge.
   

Not only is this Healthy with lots of vegetables, its wholesome, all in one go meal with less effort for more benefit. It involves no processor, no grinding, no microwave and also I have a gas stove ( Phew! )so I am sending this as my entry to EC’s Powerless cooking event



I used the following veggies

Ingrediants

• 1 onion, chopped
  
  
• 2-3 galic cloves,minced
  
  
• 3 spring onions, greens and whites chopped
  
  
• 2 celery sticks,chopped in strips
  
  
• 1 carrot,sliced thinly
  
  
• 1/4 cup of black beans, soaked overnight and par boiled
  
  
• 1 bell pepper,chopped
  
  
• 1/4 cup of cauliflower florets
  
  
• 1/4 cup of fava beans ( i used frozen )
  
  
• 1/4 cup of cut Okra ( I used frozen again )
  
  
• 1/4 cup of cremini mushrooms
  
  
• about 2 tbsp tomato paste/puree mixed with some vegetable stock or water.
  
  
• 1 cup of long grained rice - Basmati - soaked in water for 15-30 min
  
  
• Creole seasoning to taste [ in case U dont find any, use a blend of cayenne pepper,black pepper, dried thyme,dried basil,dried oregano leaves)
  
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
  
• salt to taste
  
  

Method

1. Heat some Olive oil. Add Chopped onions ,garlic, spring onion whites with bay leaf and stir for a min.




2. Add carrots,bell pepper,celery,fava beans,cauliflower florets and mix well for 3-5 min.



3. Add rice and saute it well till the rice gets slightly toasted.



4. Add salt and the seasoning and stir well.

5. Add 1 cup of the stock or the tomato mixture. mix well and let the rice soak up some of the water.



6. Then add the okra, mushrooms and the black beans. Mix and then add the remaining 1 cup of water/stock.



7. Stir slightly and close the lid and let it cook for a while. Dont touch the rice at this point since it may get all mushy.



8. Once all the water is cooked, slightly stir it , simmer it for a while and add the sping onion greens for garnish.



9. Serve it warm. It is a handy one pot meal and that which does not need an elaborate side dish. Chips, raita, papads and or just alone - anything works!