Mardi Gras Veggie Jambalaya (Printable)
A hearty, spicy Cajun-inspired dish bursting with fresh vegetables and rich flavors.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 cup frozen okra, sliced (optional)
→ Grains
10 - 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
→ Liquids
11 - 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
12 - 3 cups vegetable broth
→ Seasonings
13 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
17 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
18 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Garnish
19 - 2 green onions, sliced
20 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
21 - Lemon wedges (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion, bell peppers, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add zucchini and cherry tomatoes; cook for 2-3 minutes.
03 - Stir in the rice and toast for 1-2 minutes, coating the grains with oil and aromatics.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with their juice, vegetable broth, okra (if using), Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
05 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, adjust seasoning if needed, and garnish with green onions, parsley, and lemon wedges before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Every spoonful delivers that incredible depth of Cajun flavor while keeping things completely plant based
- It feeds a crowd beautifully and somehow tastes even better the next day
- The combination of textures from tender vegetables to perfectly fluffy rice makes each bite interesting
02 -
- Resist the urge to lift the lid too often while it simmers because that steam is essential for properly cooking the rice
- Letting the dish rest covered after cooking is just as important as the simmering time for perfect texture
- The rice will continue absorbing liquid as it rests so do not worry if a tiny bit of liquid remains when you turn off the heat
03 -
- Rinse your rice until the water runs clear to remove excess starch for fluffier results
- Use a heavy pot or Dutch oven because thinner pans can cause the bottom to burn before the rice finishes cooking