Hawaiian Jambalaya Skillet

by Dorothy Reinhold on February 25, 2017


Print This Post Print This Post Change up classic Jambalaya with tropical fruit for a Hawaiian Jambalaya to kick off Mardi Gras or any party. Spicy rice, peppers, onions and sausage are topped by pineapple and mango. | ShockinglyDelicious.com

Hawaiian Jambalaya Skillet is classic spicy rice joined by peppers, onions and sausage, and a tropical twist of pineapple and mango, for an easy weeknight dinner.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Let’s practice our Cajun French, our Louisianaise if you will, even if it doesn’t exactly kowtow to traditional rules of French grammar. Because we’re going to Let the Good Times Roll, no matter what language we say it in. So say it with me: “less-say lay bohn tomh roo-lay.

Roll that r, start the party, make merry, and let the good times roll!

What is Mardi Gras and jambalaya?

Why are we rolling with the good times? It’s the season of Carnival in New Orleans, which has been in full swing with parades and revelry during the past several weeks. It all leads up to Mardi Gras — the final day of feasting and fun, aka Fat Tuesday, which this year is Feb. 28. It is always on the last day before Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins. The idea is to eat rich, fatty foods before fasting for Lent.

And any Mardi Gras feast worth its green, purple and gold strings of beads will include the signature dish jambalaya, a New Orleans tradition. A meal in itself, jambalaya traditionally starts by sautéing a “holy trinity” of vegetables (celery, green bell peppers and onions), browning a variety of meats and/or seafood (chicken, sausages, pork, crayfish, shrimp), and adding seasonings, broth and rice for a final cook. When the rice is done, the jambalaya is ready.

It you’re thinking “paella,” you’re not far off track, because jambalaya had its origins in rice-based dishes in the Mediterranean countries of Spain and France, and it’s often thought of as New Orleans’ own version of paella with evolutionary influences from French, Spanish, Caribbean and African cuisines.

It’s party food — humble, fun and filling — and is endlessly adaptable to what you have on hand or would like to include.

Did someone say “adaptable” ? That’s music to my ears. You don’t have to ask me twice to tweak something. Tweaking is my middle name! (No, not twerking…get your mind out of the gutter in the French Quarter.)

Hawaiian Jambalaya for Mardi Gras on ShockinglyDelicious.com

How to make Hawaiian Jambalaya Skillet

Ingredients for Hawaiian Jambalaya on a white counter on ShockinglyDelicious.com

First, gather your ingredients. You’ll need:

  • Purple onion
  • turkey sausage links
  • 1 can diced tomatoes in juice (no-salt version)
  • 1 box jambalaya rice mix (low-salt version)
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1 orange pepper
  • 1 mango
  • 1 can pineapple chunks in juice

I decided to do a quasi-Hawaiian spin on my jambalaya by fruiting it up with pineapple and mango, and I used a handy jambalaya rice mix (reduced sodium) to help me get dinner on the table in about 30 minutes. Even those of us living outside of Louisiana can feel a part of the Mardi Gras party.

Sausage and purple onion slices cooking in a black skillet Saute the onion and sausage in the skillet for a couple of minutes, to brown the sausage.

A hand pours orange colored rice mix into a skillet with sausage, water and tomatoesAdd water, tomatoes and the rice mix, stir, cover and simmer.

Peppers are stirred into Hawaiian Jambalaya Skillet in a black skilletAdd chopped peppers and cook a few minutes more.

Hawaiian Jambalaya in a black skillet is ready to put in bowlsRemove lid to check if rice is done, then it’s ready to spoon into bowls.

Hawaiian Jambalaya in a white bowl with a fork resting on the side
We’ll garnish with fresh mango, pineapple chunks, and some reserved onion and peppers for a fresh crunch.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!  The party starts here!
 

Hawaiian Jambalaya

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield: Serves 4-6

Hawaiian Jambalaya

Hawaiian Jambalaya Skillet is classic spicy rice joined by peppers, onions and sausage, with a tropical twist of pineapple and mango for fun!

Ingredients

  • 1 purple onion, chopped (reserve some for garnish
  • 1 (1-1 1/4-pound) package Italian Turkey Sausage (5 links), each link sliced into 8 pieces
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can Diced Tomatoes in Juice, no-salt added version preferred
  • 1 (8-ounce) box jambalaya rice mix (reduced-sodium version preferred)
  • 1 red pepper, chopped (save some for garnish)
  • 1 orange pepper, chopped (save some for garnish)
  • .
  • Garnish
  • Mango, peeled, seeded and sliced
  • 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained (save juice to drink or use later)
  • Reserved purple onion
  • Reserved red and orange pepper
  • Sprigs of parsley

Directions

  1. Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Add onion and sausage and cook, stirring a few times, for 5-7 minutes, until the sausage is slightly browned and the onions are cooked.
  2. Add water, the can of tomatoes and its juice, and the rice mix. Stir to combine, cover, turn heat down to lowest and simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove lid, add chopped red and orange peppers, replace lid and simmer another 10 minutes.
  3. Remove lid, taste to see if rice is done, and take pan off heat.
  4. Serve in bowls with your choice of garnishes. We like a sprinkling of the reserved chopped onion and red and orange peppers (for fresh crunch), and a few slices of fresh mango and chunks of pineapple. Stick a sprig of parsley in there if you dare.
  5. Serves 4-6, depending on appetites.

Notes

Recipe source: Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/hawaiian-jambalaya/

areyoupinningPin the image below for Hawaiian Jambalaya Skillet to your Pinterest board to easily save this recipe Hawaiian Jambalaya is a 1-skillet meal on ShockinglyDelicious.com

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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }

Kim Beaulieu February 9, 2016 at 11:42 pm

Dorothy this is so creative and perfect in every way. I love the idea of a Hawaiian Jambalaya. Taking two amazing tastes and marrying them together, it’s genius.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold February 10, 2016 at 5:37 am

Thanks Kim!

Reply

cathy | Lemon Tree Dwelling February 9, 2016 at 7:51 pm

What a great fusion of flavors!

Reply

Sam | Ahead of Thyme February 9, 2016 at 7:14 pm

Love jambalaya bowls! I will have to try this one!

Reply

Kathi @ LaughingSpatula February 9, 2016 at 8:45 am

I use Zatarains for all my Jambalaya …I’ve never been able to make it from scratch that tastes as good!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold February 9, 2016 at 3:34 pm

Kathi,
That’s great to know!

Reply

Joanie @ Zagleft February 9, 2016 at 6:40 am

I love this flavorful take on Jambalaya. You can’t go wrong with Zatarain’s either.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold February 9, 2016 at 7:16 am

Joanie,
This was my first time using it, and I really like it! Perfect flavor balance.

Reply

Summer February 9, 2016 at 6:25 am

This looks like the perfect supper. But I wouldn’t mind having some for breakfast right now ♥

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold February 9, 2016 at 7:16 am

Summer,
I have been known to eat it for breakfast!

Reply

sue|theviewfromgreatisland February 9, 2016 at 6:12 am

GORGEOUS dish Dorothy — I love Zatarains!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold February 9, 2016 at 7:17 am

Thanks Sue! I do love a colorful dinner.

Reply

Joanie @ Zagleft February 9, 2016 at 6:08 am

What a flavorful take on traditional Jambalaya! You just can’t beat Zatarain’s for the perfect seasoning either.

Reply

Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet February 8, 2016 at 5:50 pm

What an original twist! Mangoes and pineapple in jambalaya? Heck yeah!

Reply

Ginny McMeans February 8, 2016 at 5:43 pm

I love that you took the Hawaiian route here and that you still got to use Zatarain’s. Reduced sodium? Gotta try it.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold February 9, 2016 at 6:03 am

Ginny,
I really like the lower-salt version!

Reply

Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen February 8, 2016 at 3:51 pm

I love this spin on the classic!

Reply

Renee@Renee's Kitchen Adventures February 8, 2016 at 1:25 pm

I love your sweet additions to this spicy dish!

Reply

Lora February 8, 2016 at 12:13 pm

Jambalaya is such a flavorful dish! This is so lovely for Mardi Gras!!!

Reply

Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet February 8, 2016 at 10:03 am

Tropical flavors is what I am craving right now. This jambalaya sounds fantastic!

Reply

Patricia @ Grab a Plate February 8, 2016 at 8:22 am

My goodness! I love your tweaking 😉 The pineapple and mango are such great additions to put a twist on this classic!

Reply

Shelby February 8, 2016 at 2:55 am

Love the sweet heat – one of my favorite ways to eat! I also love that you said tweaking is your middle name. he he. Grumpy would have a good time with that one!

Reply

Constance Smith | Cosmopolitan Cornbread February 7, 2016 at 8:36 am

What a fun twist on jambalaya!

Reply

Liz February 7, 2016 at 6:50 am

Pineapple, peppers and sausage is a winning combination! Love your creative jambalaya!!

Reply

Stacy February 7, 2016 at 4:13 am

Amazing flavors and colors, Dorothy! That’s a party in a bowl!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold February 7, 2016 at 5:58 am

Thanks Stacy! We ate it 2 nights in a row and were v. happy!

Reply

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