I mentioned in a Project 365 post a couple weeks ago that I had recently returned from spending a few days in New Orleans with Zatarain’s. I’ve been meaning to write about my trip since then, but have honestly had a really hard time trying to condense what I want to share with you into a post worthy of the experience.
Photo courtesy of Laura
Let me start off by introducing you to the 2012 Zatarain’s Blogger Ambassador Krewe… most of us started off as strangers but after a few fun days together, we became fast friends. We all have different personalities and our styles all vary, but we meshed together so well. It was a perfect fit all around. From left to right: Jim, Manyana, Rachel, Laura, Steph and Myself.
Zatarain’s, a signature part of New Orleans cooking for over 100 years, invited us to New Orleans for a complete immersion experience. They wanted to bring us into the company to learn all about them as well as immerse us in the culture of New Orleans. What I discovered is the two go hand in hand.. one isn’t possible without the other.
Zatarain’s is a company with heart and soul, just like the city it is located in. We all know Zatarain’s as a leader in the spice, seasoning and rice mix market, but what stood out to me the most was Zatarain’s strong values and family centered focus. The sense of family and values was loud and clear every where you turned. How many company’s this size do you know who stop midday and eat lunch together “as a family”? Right… that’s pretty rare, isn’t it?
I was surprised to find New Orleans to be the same way.. a very family centric city. As someone from Kansas, I imagined New Orleans to be a booze loving, shirt lifting, do anything for beads kind of town. Sure… there is some of that, but for locals, the absolute heart of New Orleans and the Mardi Gras season is family and community.
Well, family, community and food. I have never been to a city with such a vibrant food scene like this one. Rich in history, rounded in tradition, and centered on quality, New Orleans is a food lovers dream land. Thanks to New Orleans own Chef John Besh, we experienced an afternoon and evening of eating and drinking like nothing I’ve ever been a part of. Experiencing the restaurants Borgne, Domenica and August are a must if you visit New Orleans. If you go, you can expect wonderful hospitality and some of the most amazing food you’ll ever taste. Come hungry because you will leave stuffed!
I feel honored to have been welcomed into the Zatarain’s family and to be embraced by the kindhearted people of New Orleans. We experienced some Mardi Gras parades while we were there and I cannot wait to take my kids someday. I can’t put into words this experience but can tell you that a Mardi Gras parade with the family and community of New Orleans is like nothing I’ve ever experienced… in a very good way. It’s a vibrant, fun filled, surreal experience.
Photo courtesy of Steph
A special thanks to Zatarain’s for opening my eyes and heart to your great company, to Chef John Besh for stuffing us full of food and drinks and for the great hospitality of your chefs and staff, and to the city of New Orleans for just being you… I fell in love.
I’m sharing a recipe today that was served for lunch while we were at the Zatarain’s headquarters. This recipe comes from the Zatarain’s kitchen and is a “Jazzed Up” version of Zatarain’s boxed Jambalaya. It is seriously the best Jambalaya I’ve ever tasted. Enjoy!
Recipe: Zatarain’s Jazzed Up Jambalaya
- 1 80z box Zatarain’s Jambalaya Mix
- 2.25 cups water
- 4 ounces bacon
- 12 ounces smoked pork sausage (cut in moons)
- 12 ounces bite size pieces chicken thighs
- 4 ounces creole seasoning
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 quarter cup green onions
- In a medium sized pot, fry down bacon until cooked, remove bacon (leave drippings). Add smoked sausage, cook unitl it starts to get brown, then remove.
- Rub chicken thighs with creole seasoning. Add chicken thighs to the pot and cook till pieces are starting to brown. When finished add back the sausage and bacon with the vegetables. Cook for around 5 minutes.
- Add water and bring to a boil. Add the Jambalaya Mix and stir and cover.
- Bring back to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer and cook for around 20 minutes (or until most of the water is gone) stirring occasionally. When done turn off heat, uncover, stir in green onions, recover and let stand for 5 minutes. Serve and Enjoy.
I am a compensated member of the Zatarain’s Blogger Ambassador Krewe. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
I am linking this post to I’m Lovin’ It on TidyMom!
I’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras, it seems like such fun celebration.
It was SOOO good! So happy to be in this amazing Krewe with y’all! xo
Totally agree on the overwhelming sense of family and community felt the whole weekend. BTW, your jambalaya remake looks awesome, Kristen!
So fun! I would have loved to go on something like this…how fabulous! I was just at an event today with bloggers…and it was…AMAZING!
What a fun event. I’ve never been to New Orleans! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. 🙂 Your Jambalaya looks delicious. It’s very easy to make too. Thanks for the recipe.
So impressive. I really wish more companies took the tiime to create a real experience that one can write about. Sure, one can use the products and get a sense but to actually feel the experience speaks so much louder. It certainly makes it easier to want to support a company that walks the walk.
It was amazing all around. The people, the food, and of course, the Krewe. So happy to have met you and everyone else. It made the experience even more incredible. Simply put, Zatarain’s rocks.
Omg, this brought back fantastic memories! Great recap Chica. I can’t wait to get together again!
I live in Lafayette and am a huge fan of John Besh and Zatarain’s. I was in New Orleans at New Years and ate a Luke. It was an amazing meal. My ‘bucket list’ includes eating at each of John’s restaurants at least once.
Sooooooo delicious! Lawdy ME.
What a Great Post! I missed NOLA this Mardi Gras but try to make it back often. Have eaten in all of John’s restaurants and adore August! Lived there for many years with my family but have migrated to the Florida Panhandle. NOLA still has my heart. So glad you got to experience a place I still call home!
SO well said, Kristen! Darren and I lived in New Orleans before, during, and after Katrina. We were always commenting on the pride everyone has for their family, the community, and all of the traditions of New Orleans! If you want another fun, authentic recipe to try, you should make the gumbo in my book. Straight from the bayou! Hope to see you soon!
New Orleans is one of my favorite cities. My husband and I try to make it to a Saints game once a year…the way that place embraces you is just amazing. So so much joy everywhere. And of course, we always love the food!!
That Jambalaya looks amazing. And, I loved reading about your experience in New Orleans. I have never been, but you have definitely made me add it to my bucket list. 🙂
What a great experience! I loved seeing all your NOLA pictures on Instagram! This recipe looks fantastic. I love a nice and spicy jambalaya!
What fun! Good friends and good food!
Looks like a great trip, and that Jambalaya looks so good and hearty. Yum!
Yum. I love Zatarains. Thanks for the doctored up version! Looks like you had an absolutely fabulous time in NOLA!
We need a trip to Nawlins! What a fun time. You really got to hop in and experience the city at its max.
How fun. So glad to see you had a good time!
Thank you for your lovely words about our city! So glad you enjoyed your time here and hope you will return, often! Glad you now understand Mardi GRAS the way WE understand Mardi GRAS- on fat Tuesday, we are all family! It’s not just about beads, breasts and booze, it about food, family and fun for all! NOLA, proud to call it home.
I haven’t tasted Jambalaya before.. Lucky you! It looks so really yummy! Zatarains are really hospitable.. Keep up the good work! 🙂 Thank you for sharing this…
YUM, YUM, YUM! First of all the photo looks amazing! Loved hearing about some of your trip and thanks for the recipe! Hugs from Conroe, TX
Hi Nancy – Will you let me know if you get this response and if so do you mind forwarding the email to me at kristen@dineanddish dot net? Thanks 🙂
Looks like so much fun!! I’ve never been to New Orleans!
You know, I have a friend who just moved up here after living in Baton Rouge for several years and she said the same thing – the amount of Mardi Gras that’s drunk college students with their shirts off is very small, and the rest of the celebrations are really community-focused and family-friendly.
Loved reading about your trip to New Orleans. I have been twice and loved every second that I was down there!
I would absolutely love to go to New Orleans one day. Looks like so much fun!!
Where do you put in the half cup (4oz) of creole seasoning?
I can never lose this recipe, 10 years later. It’s my go to and everybody loves it. I’m making it today for tailgating at a cold Packers playoff game tomorrow!!
Thanks so much for letting me know – it’s one of our favorites too!