#69_ JAMBALAYA ON PASTA

Jambalaya on Mostaccioli Pasta

Fast and easy pasta dish!

I first experimented on this recipe last year after ordering it a few times at Mimi's Cafe. I took a picture so I can dissect it (see recipe #27 Chicken a la Jambalaya). I had made this dish a few times since then but it was always different each time. One time it had pork, one time it had pork and chicken, and no sausage, etc. But it is good no matter what you do with it as long as you use the seasoning.

The reason this is fast and easy dish to do is that I used pre-cooked chicken. Actually, rotisseri chicken from Costco. Of course if using fresh chicken, you need to saute it longer and simmer longer. I even used the heat-n-serve kind of sausage. So actual cooking time is under 30 minutes.

Here is the recipe:

2-3 tbps. olive oil or canola oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 pieces chicken breast, pre-cooked, sliced in chunks

1 package breakfast sausage

1 small carrots, sliced thin

1/2 of green bell pepper, chunks

1/2 of red bell pepper, chunks

2 ribs of celery, sliced diagonally

15 oz. can tomato sauce

1 lb. mostaccioli pasta

2 tsp. cajun seasoning

1 tsp. garlic powder

chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

1) Cook the pasta according to package directions.

2) In a large skillet heat the oil and add the onions, saute until onions are transluscent.

3) Add the sausage, the cooked chicken, the cajun seasoning and garlic powder. Saute for a couple of minutes.

4) Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for about 2-3 minutes.

5) Add in the carrots and simmer for 1 minute.

6) Add in the celery and the red and green bell peppers and stir well.

7) Mix in the cooked pasta and stir to blend well.

8) Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with chopped parsley.

SERVE HOT. BON APPETIT!!

NOTE:

1) If you can make your own cajun seasoning it is better so you can adjust the salt. I find the store-bought ones have plenty of salt in them.

2) You can add pork loins and shrimps to be more of Jambalaya.

3) If using fresh chicken, you need to saute it longer and simmer longer until the chicken is tender.