Southern Jambalaya

Ingredients

• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 lb cubed cooked ham

Directions

1. 1

   Cook the onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic in two tbsp of the oil in a Dutch oven, about 3-4 minutes.

2. 2

   Add shrimp and cook until shrimp are pink, about 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Remove shrimp mixture and reserve.

4. 4

   Add last tbsp oil to the pan along with the rice and cook over med-high heat about ten minutes, until the rice is a light brown, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.

5. 5

   Stir in the broth, tomatoes, salt, pepper, thyme, Tabasco, and the bay leaf.

6. 6

   Heat mixture to a boil then cover, reduce hear and simmer, about 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender.

7. 7

   Stir in the reserved shrimp and also the ham.

8. 8

   Cover and cook until heated through.

9. 9

   Remove bay leaf, and serve.