Recipe using tasso

Dutch Oven Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Yield 1-1/2 Gallons

This recipe has reduced for home use. It has been modified from the one I used on the TV show "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" that Laurent (The Boy) and I cooked the day before the Throwdown.

2 LBS MILD SMOKED PORK SAUSAGE (Sliced 1/4 inch thick) (or any lean high quality smoked pork sausage)
2-1/2 LBS BONELESS- SKINLESS CHICKEN THIGH MEAT
1-1/2 LBS ONIONS (Diced)
2 TBSP MINCED FRESH GARLIC
1 LB TASSO (Cubed)
3/4 TBSP WHOLE THYME LEAFS
3/4 TBSP SWEET BASIL
1/2 TBSP COARSELY GROUND BLACK PEPPER
1/2 TBSP WHITE PEPPER
1/2 TBSP CAYENNE RED PEPPER FLAKES
1 TBSP CURLY PARSLEY (Chopped)
1/3 GALLON CHICKEN STOCK (See Recipe)
1-1/4 LBS LONG GRAIN RICE

Method
The most important thing is to use the right equipment so I would suggest to get 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. Use the Chef's spoon, and 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; sauté 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 peppers; 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.
Taste the "soup". You can adjust seasonings at this point. Important SEE Chef's Notes below! If all is
well, 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 scrap the bottom of the pot to insure that no
rice sticks. When the jambalaya returns to a boil, reduce heat to the lowest possible setting (you can
even turn the heat off) and simmer covered for at least 25 minutes. DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER, Allow the
rice to steam.

Alternate Method
If Manda’s brand sausage is not available than 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, bases are usually full of salt.

Plate Presentation
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 pepper sauces, like Tabasco, Louisiana Red Ball or Crystal.

Chef's Notes:

Not all tassos are created equal! Tasso is smoked ham with Cajun seasonings rubbed on the outside, and some are hotter than others.

Before adding the rice, I would suggest to taste a piece of chicken and the "soup"; it should be a little over seasoned but not burning hot with spice. Because of this I have purposely called for a little less peppers than needed. BTW, many people have asked me which tasso do I use, it is Poche's Market out of Breaux Bridge, LA. This is not intended to be an advertisement, but they are great!

This recipe seems simple and straight forward, and truly it is. BUT… Believe me, it takes many batches to master!
___________________