Jambalaya?

New Orleans is famous for it's food and culture. One of the signature dishes in New Orleans cuisine is Jambalaya.

Jambalaya is made with rice, vegetables, meat, seafood, and spices. For meats, Louisiana natives generally use chicken or andouille sausages, but ground beef and ham are occasionally used. Vegetables include green bell peppers, onions, celery, and tomatoes. Jambalaya is generally cooked with three pots, and can take an hour to boil.

New Orleans was a mixing pot of cultures in the 1800s. Spanish and French immigrants lived mainly in the French Quarter, a section of the city popular for tourism today. Spanish residents attempted to make paella, a popular rice dish. However, they lacked saffron, the main spice. They used spices imported from the Caribbean. These spices created a unique flavor, and Jambalaya was born.

Why don't you try making Jambalaya? Click this link for twenty easy jambalaya recipes.

For more information about New Orleans cooking and culture, visit Gumbopages.com.

Vocabulary

Signature: an item that becomes an identifying mark for its creator

Andouille: a sausage of French origin made with pork, peppers, onions, wine, and seasonings

Occasionally: not occurring very often

Paella: A popular Spanish rice dish with rice, vegetables, meat, and seafood

Saffron: a rich, yellow spice used in dishes and to color cloth

Caribbean: a series of islands south of Florida known for their tropical temperatures and rich cultures

Unique: unlike any other

Activity

Maria's ________ electric blue hair color was unlike any of her classmates.

When I visited Madrid, Spain this summer, I ate ________, a delicious rice dinner.

I only visit the amusement park ________ because it is too expensive to visit often.

I purchased some delicious ________ sausage at a French market near my house.

On my honeymoon, I vacationed in the tropical islands of the ________.

My new dress is a golden yellow, much like the color of ________ spice.

Josephine's bakery is famous for their ________ cookie, oatmeal chocolate chip.