According to the dictionary, jambalaya is rice cooked usually with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp, or oysters and seasoned with herbs. In talking with lovers of authentic creole food, this statement is as close as you will get to having people agree on what jambalaya really is. Opinions differ on how to cook a proper jambalaya, just as they differ on how to cook a gumbo or whether you should put sugar in your cornbread. Everyone will agree, however, that this jambalaya recipe, which is ready in just an hour, is delicious and easy enough to earn a spot in the recipe box. Fry up some flavorful andouille sausage to start the dish off right, followed by the aromatic trinity of onion, celery and pepper. This recipe uses shredded, cooked chicken, but feel free to substitute some leftover thanksgiving turkey, instead. If you are having company over the holidays, take some of the meal-planning stress off your shoulders; simply make a pan of this ahead and freeze. Reheat it and serve with a warm loaf of crusty bread for a delicious and hearty meal.
