Spicy Seafood and Andouille Jambalaya
Delight your taste buds with this Spicy Seafood and Andouille Jambalaya, a vibrant one-pot dish bursting with flavors from fresh scallops, succulent shrimp, and smoky andouille sausage. Ideal for gatherings, this easy-to-make recipe not only captures the essence of Southern comfort food but also allows the fragrant spices to dance together in a hearty blend with rice and fresh vegetables. Perfectly cooked in a slow cooker, the jambalaya is sure to impress your family and friends with its rich aromas and satisfying taste.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
2 tablespoons
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Celery
1 cup (chopped)
Red bell pepper
1 medium (chopped)
Rice (Uncle Ben's Converted, long grain)
1 cup
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Canned tomatoes
(15 ounces) (undrained)
Clam juice
(8 ounces) (bottle)
Water
1 cup
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon
Thyme
1/2 teaspoon
Oregano
1/2 teaspoon
Salt
1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Andouille sausages
8 ounces (cut into 1/2-inch slices)
Medium shrimp
8 ounces (peeled)
Scallops
8 ounces (halved if large)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and red bell pepper, cooking and stirring frequently until the onion becomes translucent and softens, about 5 minutes.
2
Stir in the rice and minced garlic, cooking for an additional 1 minute while stirring constantly to avoid burning the garlic.
3
Transfer the cooked vegetable and rice mixture to a 3.5-quart slow cooker. Add the can of undrained tomatoes, clam juice, water, and Worcestershire sauce, followed by thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
4
Using the back of a spoon, break up any large pieces of tomatoes to help integrate them into the mixture. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or until the rice is nearly tender.
5
While the rice cooks, take a medium skillet and over medium heat, cook the sliced andouille sausage until browned, about 5 minutes, turning to ensure even cooking.
6
During the last 15 minutes of cooking in the slow cooker, add the browned sausage along with the peeled shrimp and scallops. Increase the heat to high, cover, and cook until the shrimp are pink and the scallops are opaque and firm.
7
Once everything is cooked, serve the jambalaya immediately, enjoying the wonderful medley of flavors.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Seafood and Andouille Jambalaya?
It is a vibrant one-pot Southern comfort dish featuring fresh scallops, succulent shrimp, smoky andouille sausage, rice, and vegetables cooked in a slow cooker.
What seafood is used in this recipe?
This jambalaya uses 8 ounces of peeled medium shrimp and 8 ounces of scallops.
What kind of sausage is recommended?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of andouille sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices.
What type of rice should I use?
The recipe recommends using one cup of Uncle Ben's Converted long grain rice.
How long does it take to cook in the slow cooker?
The rice mixture cooks on low for 5 to 6 hours, followed by an additional 15 minutes on high once the seafood and sausage are added.
Do I need to sauté the vegetables first?
Yes, you should sauté the chopped onion, celery, and red bell pepper in olive oil for about 5 minutes before adding them to the slow cooker.
Should the canned tomatoes be drained?
No, use a 15-ounce can of undrained tomatoes to provide necessary liquid and flavor.
What liquids are used for the base of the jambalaya?
The liquid base consists of the juice from the canned tomatoes, 8 ounces of clam juice, and 1 cup of water.
When do I add the seafood?
Add the shrimp and scallops during the last 15 minutes of the cooking process.
How do I prepare the andouille sausage?
The sausage should be sliced into 1/2-inch pieces and browned in a skillet for about 5 minutes before being added to the slow cooker.
What spices give the dish its heat?
The heat comes from 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, along with the natural spice of the andouille sausage.
What size slow cooker is required?
A 3.5-quart slow cooker is the ideal size for this recipe.
Which vegetables are included in the 'holy trinity' for this recipe?
The recipe includes the classic combination of onion, celery, and red bell pepper.
Should the garlic be cooked before adding it to the slow cooker?
Yes, stir the minced garlic and rice into the sautéed vegetables for about 1 minute before transferring everything to the slow cooker.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The dish is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of thyme and 1/2 teaspoon of oregano.
How do I know when the shrimp are done?
The shrimp are fully cooked when they turn pink and lose their translucency.
How do I know when the scallops are done?
The scallops are finished when they become opaque and firm.
Do I need to cut the scallops?
If the scallops are large, they should be halved before being added to the pot.
Does the recipe use Worcestershire sauce?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce is added to the slow cooker to enhance the savory flavor.
Can I leave the tomatoes whole?
No, you should use the back of a spoon to break up any large pieces of tomatoes after adding them to the slow cooker.
Is this a healthy recipe?
The recipe is tagged as healthy as it contains lean seafood, vegetables, and is cooked with minimal added fats.
What is the primary cooking method?
The primary cooking method is slow cooking, though it involves some initial stovetop browning and sautéing.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 18 total ingredients used in this Spicy Seafood and Andouille Jambalaya.
Should I serve this dish immediately?
Yes, for the best texture of the seafood and rice, it is recommended to serve the jambalaya immediately after the final 15 minutes of cooking.
Can I use a different type of bell pepper?
While the recipe calls for red bell pepper for its sweetness, you could substitute other colors if needed.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need 2 tablespoons of olive oil to sauté the initial vegetable mixture.
Is this recipe good for groups?
Yes, it is described as an ideal dish for gatherings and impressing family and friends.
What setting should the slow cooker be on for the majority of the time?
The slow cooker should be set to 'Low' for the first 5 to 6 hours.
Does the recipe contain salt?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
What is the preparation for the garlic?
The 2 garlic cloves should be minced before being added to the skillet.