Home-Baked Bread and Butter Day

Bet you were expecting some baking tips and a new bread recipe. Fooled you! I would love to bake bread, but between now and The Feast of Three Kings I haven’t the time.

Instead I decided to share a recipe that goes oh so well with fresh baked French Bread from your favorite bakery. Yeah, who out there doesn’t like Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya with warm bread and sweet butter?

I know, I’m usually a lot more talkative before getting to the recipe. I’ve been so busy with the holidays, and finding the time to work on my book, I’m just about talked out. Besides, we can always chat over a bowl of Jambalaya. You pick the subject, I’m all ears.

Easy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
2 boneless Chicken Breasts
12 oz Cajun Sausage
1/2 White Onion
1 small Red Bell Pepper
1 large Celery Rib
3 Garlic Cloves
2 teaspoons Olive Oil
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper or to taste
1/2 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning or to taste
Black Pepper to taste
2 cups uncooked White Rice
4 cups Chicken Stock
3 Bay Leaves
2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon Hot Pepper Sauce
1 loaf French Bread
Butter as desired

Cut chicken into bite-size pieces. Cut sausage into bite-size rounds. Set sliced meats aside. Peel and dice onion. Ore, seed and dice bell pepper. Clean, trim and slice celery. Peel and mince garlic. Set aside.

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken, sauté about 3 minutes. Stir in the sausage, continue to sauté until lightly browned, about 5 minutes longer.

Stir in onions, bell pepper, celery and garlic. Season with cayenne pepper, Cajun Seasoning and black pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add rice. Stir in the chicken stock. Top with bay leaves. Bring Jambalaya to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender. Remove from heat, pluck out the bay leaves before adding the Worcestershire Sauce and Hot Pepper Sauce.

While the Jambalaya is simmering, warm the bread. Serve with lots of sweet, creamy butter and enjoy.

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 I set the LORD ever before me;
with Him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed