If you want something different to spice up your dinner routine, why not try the Southern dish jambalaya? This Creole dish mixes rice, meat, and vegetables and can please even the pickiest eaters. But what goes with Jambalaya?
Jambalaya with shrimp and Andouille sausages. Credit image: @recipekick.tv
Here are what to serve with Jambalaya for dinner:
Side dishes: Shrimp cocktail, Fried catfish, Fried Okra, Andouille Sausage, Crawfish Etoufee, etc.
Desserts: Peach cobbler, Banana pudding, Pecan pie, etc.
And many more.
What are they? And how to prepare them for dinner? We’ll give you some ideas!
What side dishes go well with Jambalaya for dinner?
Chicken and Andouille sausage jambalaya. Credit: canva
If you want to start your meal right, try serving up some of these perfect side dishes before you dig into the big bowl.
Here are some suggestions for the perfect pairing:
Shrimp Cocktail
A shrimp cocktail is a classic appetizer that pairs perfectly. This flavorful dish is often served at parties and special events.
Fried Catfish
Fried catfish is another delicious option. It’s usually served with hush puppies, so you get both sweet and savory flavors.
Fried Okra
Okra is a vegetable that has a unique taste. It’s sometimes called snake beans because of their long shape. Fried okra is one of the most popular sides. Try adding it to your next batch!
Andouille Sausage
This sausage is made of smoked pork loin and seasoned with garlic, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Andouille sausage is a traditional Southern side dish part of the recipes.
Crawfish Etouffee
Etouffee is a stew-like dish that contains crawfish. It’s typically served during Mardi Gras celebrations. Crawfish etouffee is a favorite.
Serve it with bread and butter pickles to complete the experience.
Oysters Rockefeller
Oysters Rockefeller is another favorite appetizer. It includes oysters, cheese, cream, and bacon bits. It’s one of my favorites because I love everything about it.
And don’t forget the remoulade sauce!
Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are a tasty way to end your meal. These crab cakes are loaded with crab meat and mayo. They’re perfect for dipping in tartar sauce.
Cornbread
Chicken and sausage jambalaya with hot sauce and cornbread. Credit: canva
Cornbread is another traditional side dish that goes well. It can be served plain or topped with butter, honey, or sugar.
Cheese Fries
Cheese fries are crispy potato chips covered in melted cheese. They’re a fun snack that kids will enjoy. You can find them at most fast-food restaurants.
Hot Wings
Hot wings are an American favorite. They’re made from sliced-up chicken marinated in a spicy sauce. The best part is that they come in several varieties, including Buffalo, Texas BBQ, and Honey BBQ.
Jambalaya with rice and green salad. Credit: canva
What dessert goes with Jambalaya for dinner?
Here are some more ideas:
Peach Cobbler
Peach Cobbler. Credit: canva
Peach cobbler is a Southern favorite. It’s a baked fruit dessert that contains fresh peaches. It’s perfect for summertime when peaches are in season.
Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is a popular fall dessert. It consists of apples mixed with oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This dessert is perfect for chilly autumn evenings.
Banana Split
Banana splits are a classic treat. They consist of bananas, ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup. It’s heaven in a glass!
Brownies
Brownies are a decadent dessert filled with nuts, chocolate, and sometimes even marshmallows. They’re perfect for any occasion since they don’t require much effort.
Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a Southern tradition. It comprises pecans, cornstarch, sugar, flour, and vanilla. It’s often served at Thanksgiving, but it’s also enjoyed year-round.
Ice Cream Cake
Ice cream cake is a dessert that combines all of your favorite things into one. It’s similar to a cheesecake but uses ice cream instead of cream cheese.
Chocolate Lava Cake
Chocolate lava cake is a delicious dessert that’s full of molten chocolate. It’s usually served warm so that you can eat the whole thing.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a seasonal favorite. Unfortunately, it’ll only be around for a few months each year. However, pumpkin pie is always worth celebrating.
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcake is another classic dessert. It’s topped with strawberries and whipped cream. Again, it’s simple to make and tastes fantastic.
What You Need to Know
Spicy jambalaya. Credit: canva
What is Jambalaya?
It is an American Creole and Cajun rice dish in New Orleans. The name comes from the French word “jambon,” which means ham. This was added to the dish to give it flavor.
What is It made of?
Rice, meat, and vegetables are all used when making this dish. Rice is the main ingredient. In addition, chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and even vegetables can be added.
There are many different versions of this recipe. Some people use chicken instead of sausage, while others add more veggies. There are even some who like to add bacon!
Flavor
The flavors vary depending on what ingredients you choose. For example, if you want it to have spicy flavors, you might add hot sauce. Or if you prefer something milder, then you might want less heat.
What is the difference between gumbo and Jambalaya?
Gumbo is another type of Creole and Cajan rice dish. Gumbo is usually served as soup, but you can also serve it over pasta or rice.
The ingredients in gumbo include okra, tomatoes, peppers, onions, celery, and spices.
The ingredients in the spicy version are similar to gumbo, except they don’t have any okra. Instead, they contain other vegetables such as bell pepper, green onion, and celery.
What is the difference between Cajun and Creole Jambalaya?
Cajun and Creole food have their roots in France. Many people think these two delicious dishes are the same, but there are differences.
Creole food tends to have a lot of spice so you will find lots of garlic and onions in Creole cuisine. On the other hand, Cajun food tends to be spicier than Creole food. Both Creole and Cajuns tend to cook their foods using butter.
Creole jambalaya includes tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions. Cajun includes cabbage, carrots, potatoes, corn, and peppers.
How to Make
You should boil water in a large pot and then add rice. Cook the rice until it becomes tender. Then drain the excess water from the pot.
Next, you’ll want to prepare the meat mixture. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic, and spices to the pot.
Bring everything to a boil and let simmer for about 10 minutes. After this, turn off the heat and allow the flavors to combine.
Now, it’s time to assemble the dish. Layer the ingredients on top of the rice. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Just remember to keep adding new layers.
Once the dish has been assembled, cover it with foil and put it back on the stove. Let it sit for cooking time 20-30 minutes before serving.
How do I make Jambalaya better?
Here are just a few suggestions:
Use a slow cooker. A slow cooker makes cooking easier because it cooks food automatically without constantly monitoring it.
Use leftovers. If you have leftover rice, try using it as an ingredient.
Serve cold. It is best when it’s served hot. However, chill it in the refrigerator overnight to help it cold.
How to store
Keep it covered. If you plan to freeze it, it’s best to wrap it well and place it in a freezer bag or container. This way, it won’t dry out.
Store it in the fridge. If you plan to refrigerate, remove it 30 minutes before serving. This allows it to come to room temperature.
Authentic Creole Jambalaya Recipe
Try these recipes next time you have friends over for dinner.
Basic ingredients
3 tablespoons cooking oil, divided
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning,
10 ounces (300 g) andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
1 pound (500 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 onion diced
1 small green bell pepper (capsicum), seeded and diced
1 small red bell pepper (capsicum), seeded and diced
2 stalks/ribs of celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
14 ounces (400 g) can of crushed tomatoes
One teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
One teaspoon each of dried thyme and dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne powder)
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup thinly sliced okra (or 1 teaspoon file powder)
1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice (short grain or long grain)
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 pound (500 g) raw shrimp/prawns tails on or off, peeled and deveined
Sliced green onions and chopped parsley to garnish
Instructions
Heat one tablespoon of oil over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven.
Season the sausage and chicken with half of the Cajun seasoning.
Brown sausage in the hot oil; remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Add the rest of the oil to the pot and brown the chicken lightly. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
In a saucepan, sauté the onion, pepper, and celery in oil for about 5 minutes or until the onion is soft. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Stir in the tomatoes; season with salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes (or Cayenne powder), hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and the remaining bit of Cajun seasoning.
Add the chicken and sausage, then stir in the okra slices (or file powder). Cook for 5 minutes while stirring frequently.
Add in the rice and chicken broth, boil, then reduce heat to low-medium. Cover and let simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked while stirring occasionally.
Place the shrimp on the mixture, stir gently, and cover with a lid.
Allow simmering while occasionally stirring until the shrimp are cooked through and pink (about 5-6 minutes, depending on the size/thickness of the shrimp being used).
Season with extra salt and pepper if needed and remove from heat.
Adjust heat with extra hot sauce, Cayenne pepper, or Cajun seasoning.
Serve immediately with sliced green onions, parsley, or any side dish.
What Vegetable Goes With Jambalaya
What makes any dish great? It’s the ingredients that make it so delicious!
The Vegetables That Make Jambalaya Great!
If you’re looking for something to add, look no further than these three tasty vegetables.
The Holy Trinity of Veggies: Onions, Celery, and Bell Peppers.
Ah, yes, the holy trinity of vegetables. It wouldn’t be a proper dish without onions, celery, and bell peppers.
These three vegetables are sautéed together in oil or butter to create a flavorful base for any savory dish. Onions add a subtle sweetness and savory flavor, while celery brings a crunchy texture and a slight bitterness.
Finally, bell peppers provide vibrant color and a mildly sweet flavor that helps balance out the other two veggies.
Carrots & Garlic
Spice Up Your Jambalaya!
Carrots have been around since ancient times and have been used in many dishes. When added, carrots bring a slight sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of sausage and shrimp.
Garlic adds an earthy aroma and a zesty kick to this classic dish. Both garlic and carrots can be cooked with the holy trinity of vegetables or added as a garnish for color contrast and flavor enhancement.
Mushrooms
An Earthy Option For Your Jambalaya!
Mushrooms are fungi but don’t let that scare you away from adding them!
Mushrooms are packed with umami flavor, giving your dish an extra depth of flavor that will impress even the pickiest eater. Use mushrooms to replace some of the meat if you’re looking for a vegetarian option or want something different than your usual recipe!
FAQs
Is Jambalaya served alone?
It is traditionally served with other dishes such as gumbo, creole, etc. However, it can also be served as an appetizer or side dish.
What kind of dish is Jambalaya?
They are usually made with vegetables like peppers, onions, corn, okra, and sometimes even meat like chicken, turkey, beef, or seafood. The main ingredients that make up this dish are rice, tomatoes, chicken, ham, sausage, okra, and spices.
Is Jambalaya a black dish?
No, it is not considered a “black” food. It’s a Creole dish that originated in Louisiana, where it was initially called “Crawfish pie.” It has since been adopted and popularized throughout the United States.
