Here is How To Make Jambalaya Weight Watchers Pleasant

This lightened-up Jambalaya brings all of the smoky, spicy goodness of the basic Cajun dish with out sacrificing taste. Loaded with lean hen, sausage, shrimp, and veggies, it’s a hearty, one-pot meal coming in at simply 2 WW Factors per serving.

By decreasing the quantity of rice and swapping conventional Andouille sausage for lean smoked turkey sausage, we’ve stored the flavors daring however the factors low. Try our different Weight Watchers dinner recipes for extra scrumptious meal prep inspiration!

Why Ought to You Strive Jambalaya?

There are numerous causes to like Jambalaya, however listed here are 4 that stand out:

1. A Full Meal in One Pot: Jambalaya is the proper one-pot dish, combining protein, carbohydrates, and greens in each chunk. The result’s a meal that feels full, without having for further sides.
2. Full of Taste: The Cajun and Creole spices, mixed with smoky sausage and a contact of warmth from cayenne or chili, make this dish a flavor-packed powerhouse. You possibly can modify the spice stage to your liking, making it as delicate or daring as you favor.
3. Good for Gatherings: Jambalaya is a unbelievable dish for sharing. Whether or not it’s an informal Sunday dinner or a celebration, this recipe creates sufficient to feed a crowd whereas holding everybody impressed with its wealthy flavors.
4. Adaptable and Weight Watchers-Pleasant: Whereas conventional jambalaya may be increased in factors because of the sausage and rice, utilizing lean proteins and a lowered quantity of rice makes it way more manageable. Plus, the vast majority of the dish is full of zero-point elements like greens, which is all the time a bonus.

Prep Time: quarter-hour

Cook dinner Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 6 

Serving Dimension: Roughly 1 1/2 cups (375 ml)

2 WW Factors Per Serving. You possibly can view the recipe on the WW App here. (WW login required.)

Substances

• 1 cup smoked turkey sausage, sliced (150 g)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil (5 ml)
• 1 medium white onion, finely chopped (150 g)
• 3 celery stalks, diced (120 g)
• 1 purple bell pepper, diced (150 g)
• 1 inexperienced bell pepper, diced (150 g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small chili pepper, comparable to ají chirel, finely chopped (elective)
• 1 giant hen breast, cubed (200 g)
• 3 medium tomatoes, grated (300 g)
• 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed (200 g)
• 4 cups hen or seafood broth (1 liter)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon floor allspice
• Salt and freshly floor black pepper, to style
• 12 giant shrimp, peeled and deveined (200 g)

Directions

1. Sauté the Sausage: Warmth the olive oil in a big pot over medium warmth. Add the turkey sausage slices and sauté for 3-4 minutes till flippantly browned. Take away the sausage from the pot and put aside. 
2. Sauté the Veggies: In the identical pot, add the onion, celery, bell peppers, garlic, and chili pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes till the greens are comfortable and aromatic.
3. Add Hen: Stir within the cubed hen breast. Cook dinner for five minutes, stirring often, till the hen is flippantly browned on the skin.
4. Incorporate Tomatoes and Spices: Add the grated tomatoes, bay leaf, allspice, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir nicely to mix and let the combination cook dinner for 3-4 minutes to launch the flavors.
5. Add the Rice and Broth: Pour within the rinsed rice and hen or seafood broth. Stir gently to make sure the rice is evenly distributed and submerged. Return the sausage to the pot. Carry the combination to a boil, then cut back the warmth to low. Cowl the pot with a lid and let it simmer for 25 minutes, stirring often.
6. Add the Shrimp: After 25 minutes, gently stir within the shrimp. Cowl the pot and cook dinner for an extra 3 minutes, or till the shrimp are pink and absolutely cooked, and the rice is tender.
7. Regulate Seasoning and Serve: Style the Jambalaya and modify the seasoning with extra salt and pepper, if wanted. Take away the bay leaf earlier than serving. Serve sizzling, garnished with chopped parsley or inexperienced onions if desired.

Variations and Substitutions

Top-of-the-line issues about Jambalaya is its versatility. Listed here are a couple of concepts to make this dish your personal:

1. Swap the Rice: When you’re searching for a lower-carb choice, substitute some or all the rice with cauliflower rice. You’ll preserve the dish lighter whereas nonetheless having fun with its hearty texture.
2. Regulate the Spice Stage: Conventional jambalaya leans closely on spice, however you may tone it down or dial it up relying in your desire. Cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or perhaps a sprint of sizzling sauce can add warmth with out overwhelming the opposite flavors.
3. Strive Totally different Proteins: Whereas this recipe makes use of turkey sausage, shrimp and hen, you may experiment with different choices like crawfish, and even lean pork. 
4. Add Extra Veggies: To spice up the dietary worth, take into account including further greens like zucchini, broccoli florets, and even okra. These additions received’t enhance factors however will make the dish even heartier.

Suggestions and Tips for the Good Jambalaya

1. Cook dinner Shrimp Individually: Many recipes embody shrimp within the early phases, however this usually results in overcooked, rubbery shrimp. As a substitute, cook dinner the shrimp individually and stir them in on the very finish for completely tender outcomes.
2. Use Do-it-yourself Inventory: For a extra flavorful base, use selfmade shrimp inventory or a high-quality store-bought broth. A fast shrimp inventory made out of shells will elevate the dish considerably.
3. Rinse Your Rice: Earlier than including rice to the pot, rinse it totally underneath chilly water to take away extra starch. This step helps forestall the dish from changing into overly sticky and ensures the grains cook dinner evenly.
4. Select the Proper Sausage: Go for lean turkey sausage or hen sausage to chop down on factors whereas nonetheless getting that smoky, savory taste important to jambalaya.
5. Let It Relaxation: As soon as the Jambalaya is completed cooking, let it sit lined for a couple of minutes. This permits the flavors to meld collectively and the rice to soak up any remaining liquid.