Zatarain's New Orleans Style Jambalaya Mix Review

Zatarain's is one of my kitchen secrets. When I'm pushed for time and need to take something to a pot luck dinner, then I pull out a box and whip up homemade in a little more than twenty-five minutes. I also make Zatarain's for an easy dinner fairly often. In fact, that's what I have planned tonight. I'm not sure when my son will get home from lifeguarding, so I'll just turn on the water when I see him pull in.

I'd say that the Jambalaya mix is probably my favorite though I like all the Zatarain's rice boxes. It has a really pleasant blend of seasonings. It's spicy but not overly so. One of my boys doesn't like "hot" food, but he's fine with Zatarain's.

All I have to do to make this main dish is heat up water to boiling, pour in the rice package and add some meat. Then I put the lid on the pot and let it simmer on low for 25 minutes. It's ready. I can heat up some bread and set out a salad. A nice full meal.

As for the meat in the dish, you can use cooked chicken, smoked sausage, ham or shrimp. We generally use chicken. I cook down a chicken every so often and bag about three zip locks per chicken to use for jambalaya. A can (like tuna) of chicken would be fine too, but it's more expensive to buy it prepared ahead like that.

I like this mix so well that I packed up some boxes to send to a friend in New Mexico. I mentioned making Zatarain's. She hadn't heard of it and couldn't find it. I just had to share. She loved Zatarain's too.

Zatarain's has been around since 1889. They seem to be expanding operations. I'm seeing their products in more stores. Also, they have some pre-cooked meals in the freezer section now. That's what the boys' dad likes to get - the pre-made. The portions are smaller though, so I usually just make a whole pot.