Creole-style Vegetarian Jambalaya

==Description==
This is a pretty good recipe and using Eggplant in this dish is a good idea. This dish has lots of room for you to improvise and create your own jambalaya. This recipe is Creole-style, with a tomato base, but you may omit the tomato paste and tomatoes if you want country-style jambalaya. Serve with a salad and ice cold beer.
===Ingredients===
* 1/2 	 cup olive oil
*2 	cups yellow onions, small dice
*1 	cup red onions, small dice
*1 	cup bell peppers, small dice
*1 	cup celery, small dice
*2 	cups Eggplants, diced
*1 	cup yellow squash, diced
*1 	cup zucchini, diced
*1 	tablespoon minced garlic
*2 	tablespoons minced shallots
*3 	cups chopped tomatoes
*	salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
*1/2-1 	teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
*2 	teaspoons creole seasoning, to taste
*1/2 	teaspoon dried thyme
*3 	bay leaves
*4 	cups long grain rice
*1 	cup tomato paste
*8 	cups vegetable stock
*1 	cup chopped green onions
===Directions===
Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat.<BR>
Add the onions, shallots, bell peppers and garlic and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.<BR>
Add the Eggplant, Squash, and zucchini, and saute until they're tender, about other 5 minutes or so.<BR>
Add the tomatoes.<BR>
Season with salt, Creole seasoning, and additional Cayenne, if desired.<BR>
Add the bay leaves.<BR>
Add the rice and stir for 2 to 3 minutes.<BR>
Heat the tomato paste in a non-stick pan and stir, making sure it doesn't stick or burn, until the sugars in the paste begin to caramelize, and the paste begins to turn a deep mahogany color.<BR>
Deglaze with some of the vegetable stock, stir and combine thoroughly.<BR>
Add the tomato paste to the rest of the vegetable stock and stir until well-blended.<BR>
Add the vegetable stock/tomato mixture to vegetables, stir and cover.<BR>
Cook for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.<BR>
Do not stir the jambalaya while it's cooking.<BR>
Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes.<BR>
Add the green onions and mix thoroughly.<BR>
Garnish with some fresh long chives, and serve with a salad and good beer.
===Other Links===
==See also==
Category: Cajun Vegetarian
Category: Cajun Snacks
Category: Cajun Recipes
Category:thyme Recipes
Category:Squash Recipes
category:vegetable stock Recipes
category:cayenne pepper Recipes
category:cayenne pepper Recipes
category:zucchini Recipes
category:yellow onion Recipes
category:pepper Recipes
category:sweet pepper Recipes
category:bay leaf Recipes
category:red onion Recipes
category:olive oil Recipes
category:Eggplant Recipes
category:zucchini Recipes
category:Eggplant Recipes
category:tomato Recipes
category:cayenne pepper Recipes
category:chives Recipes
category:tomato Recipes
category:garlic Recipes
category:celery Recipes
category:Onion Recipes
category:cereals Recipes
category:beer Recipes
category:salt Recipes
category:rice Recipes
category:ice Recipes
category:oil Recipes