Jeff's Jambalaya

Ingredients

• 1 lb sausage (smoked, or kielbasa, andouille sausage is best)
• 1 1/2 lbs chicken (skinned)
• 1 lb shrimp (fresh, shelled)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups onions (chopped)
• 1 1/2 cups green peppers (chopped)
• 1 1/2 cups celery (chopped)
• 10 garlic cloves (smashed)
• 2 (14 ounce) cans tomatoes (Ro-tel with chilies)
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 3 teaspoons thyme
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 2 teaspoons basil
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (to taste Crystal is the best)
• 2 cups rice (long grain)

Directions

1. 1

   Slice kielbasa into bite sized pieces and brown in oven (to reduce fat).

2. 2

   Saute onions, pepper, celery, and garlic in part of the olive oil (in heavy pot) about 7 minutes, when done, set aside in prep bowl.

3. 3

   Add rest of olive oil to pot and saute chicken until golden and done, then add kielbasa.

4. 4

   Return onions, pepper, celery and garlic to pot.

5. 5

   Add spices, tomatoes, paste, and hot sauce, and cook on medium for about 10 minutes.

6. 6

   Add rice, and 4 cups water, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, longer, if you wish.

7. 7

   Add shrimp, and cook another 5 minutes or until shrimp just turn pink.

8. 8

   Serve with hot crusty French bread.