What is jambalaya?
Jambalaya is a spicy rice based dish popular in parts of Africa. It usually contains vegetables and meat or fish. Jambalaya is very similar to Spanish paella as it is influenced by Spanish and French cuisine. Jambalaya is also very popular in southern parts of Central America and is often described as similar to the popular southern dish Gumbo.
What is konjac rice?
Today i’ll be showing you how to make a sausage and prawn Jambalaya with a low calorie twist. Jambalaya recipes usually contains white rice however we will be swapping traditional rice for Konjac rice. Konjac rice is a rice made from the tuber like root glucomannan. Glucomannan is often used to make soluble dietary fibre and is often found in vegan gelatine alternatives. Konjac rice (and konjac noodles) are great for weight loss, not only because of their high fibre content but because they are usually less than 20 calories per serving which is crazy low! Konjac rice is usually found in health food shops or on health food/supplement aisles of supermarkets. It usually comes precooked and soaked. I do not advise buying uncooked konjac products as improperly prepared konjac can cause digestive complaints.
Do you have a diet restriction?
This recipe is great for the following diet restrictions:
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Nut Free
- Low GI
Step 1: Prepare the rice
Now to start with we need to prep the konjac rice. Usually, the rice comes submersed in water in a plastic packet similar to microwave rice. If your rice does not come already soaked in water you will need to soak it for at least an hour. If your rice does come cooked and in water you will notice when you open the packet that it smells very strange. Don’t worry, it hasn’t gone bad, its completely normal, although I’ve never been able to figure out why it smells this way. Pour the rice into a sieve and give it a really good wash to get rid of the strange smelling water its been in. Leave to one side ready for use later.
Step 2: Create the jambalaya
Cut up your tomatoes either into halves or quarters, we want them to get nice and saucy! Cut the pepper to a similar size and dice the red onion. Add all of this to a preheated wok or frying pan and heat for 10-15 minutes until all of the vegetables are soft.
Add in the sausages (cut up), prawns, stock and seasonings. My sausages were pre cooked before making this recipe as they were left overs, if this isn’t the case for you its not essential to pre cook your sausages but if yours are raw, id add them before the other ingredients in this step to give them time to get a crispy skin before you add the stock.
Finally, after approximately 15 minutes when the stock has reduced down you can add your konjac rice. The rice is pre cooked so all you need to do is heat it up. This should take around 3 minutes, don’t forget to stir well. Now your jambalaya recipe is finished and ready to serve up!
Variations
1. Seafood Spectacle
Embrace the coastal flavors by incorporating a mix of seafood such as shrimp, crab, and mussels. Enhance the Cajun spices with a touch of Old Bay seasoning for a delightful seafood jambalaya.
2. Andouille Adventure
Immerse yourself in the smoky essence of traditional jambalaya by using andouille sausage. Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce and a bay leaf for an authentic Louisiana taste.
3. Veggie Vibes
Create a vegetarian jambalaya by replacing the meat with a medley of colorful vegetables. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and add extra bell peppers, okra, and diced eggplant for a hearty veggie version.
4. Creole Comfort
Infuse the richness of Creole cuisine by adding diced tomatoes, green bell peppers, and celery to the mix. Season with Creole seasoning and a hint of hot sauce for a bold and flavourful twist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use regular rice instead of konjac rice?
Certainly! Feel free to substitute konjac rice with your preferred rice variety. Adjust the cooking time and liquid levels accordingly.
Can I use other protein sources besides chicken sausages and prawns?
Absolutely! Customize the jambalaya with your favourite proteins like diced chicken, tofu, or beef. Adjust the cooking time based on the protein you choose.
How can I make this dish spicy?
To add more heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a diced chili pepper. Alternatively, drizzle hot sauce over the finished dish according to your spice preference.
Can I use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock?
Yes, you can use vegetable stock as a suitable alternative to chicken stock for a vegetarian version of the jambalaya.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover stir-fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan or microwave until piping hot before serving.
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Jambalaya Recipe With Konjac Rice
Ingredients
- 250 g konjac rice pre cooked in water pouch
- 2 chicken sausages
- 50 g king prawns
- ½ red pepper
- ⅓ red onion
- 25 cherry tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 250 ml chicken stock
Instructions
- Open up the rice and wash really well until smell dissipates.
- Cut tomatoes into halves of quarters and cut pepper into similar size pieces. Dice the red onion.
- Heat a wok or frying pan to a medium heat and add the tomatoes, pepper and onion. Cook until soft which should take 5-10 minutes.
- Add in the cooked sausage and raw prawns along with the chicken stock and all seasonings. Simmer for 15 minutes until the stock has reduced.
- Add the konjac rice, stirring well and cook for another 3 minutes until the rice is piping hot. Serve in bowls
