Ham & Sausage Jambalaya

mtodryk's Note:

From my falling apart old Cajun cookbook. I will substitute the ham for chicken or shrimp sometimes (most times). Use the cayenne to make it as hot as you want.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 2/3 cup lard
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 lb ham, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 1/2 lbs smoked sausage, cut into bite size rounds
• 2 cups long grain white rice
• 28 ounces chopped tomatoes, drained
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In a heavy 8-qt Dutch oven, melt lard over medium heat. Add onions, bell pepper, celery and garlic, cook until vegetables are wilted and transparent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add ham a sausage; cook until sausage is lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
3. Add rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until rice is light golden brown, about 5 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes, Cook 2 minutes.
5. Stir in broth. Add seasonings. Reduce heat.
6. Cover and simmer until rice is tender and no liquid remains, 45 minutes. Taste for seasonings; adjust as needed.