Chez Bannister last night

Melanie and I visited Barry Bannister last night for dinner. He treated us to a wonderful cajun dinner starting with salad sprinkled with a kicky dressing, then a main course of jambalaya followed by a boosted version of Bananas Foster. Barry’s a wonderful chef and host!

Barry shared his recipies with us:

Cajun Salad Dressing

Shake in shaker or glass jar:

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 T whole grain Mustard
1 glove crushed garlic
1 t Cajun seasoning
3 shakes of Tabasco sauce

Pour over the salad. Add more vinegar and extra virgin olive, gradually, to taste.  Season with salt and pepper.

Jambalaya

(From The New Orleans School of Cooking)

1/4 cup oil (lard, bacon drippings)
1/2 lb. Cajun sausage
1/2 lb. Boneless chicken
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic
2 cups long grain rice
8 oz tomato juice
16 oz canned chicken broth
1 heaping tsp. Cajun seasoning (e.g. Joe’s Stuff, Essence of Emeril)
1 tsp paprika
1 cup chopped green onion
1 cup chopped fresh tomato

Season and brown chicken in oil over med-high heat. Add sausage to pot and saute with chicken. Remove both from the pot. Add onions, celery, green pepper and garlic to the pan and saute to the tenderness that you desire. Return chicken and sausage to the pot.  Add tomato juice, broth, paprika. and Cajun seasoning and bring to a boil. Add the raw rice and return to a boil.  Cover and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for a total 25 minutes.  After 10 minutes of cooking remove cover and quickly turn rice from the bottom to the top.  If desired, add raw shrimp, canned crab, or other seafood after 20 minutes and return the lid.  Add the green onions and chopped tomato at the end.

NOTES:
1 cup rice to 1 cup onion, 1/2 celery, 1/2 cup green peppers
1 cup raw rice to 11/4 cups liquid
Over season to compensate for the rice
Cook for a total of 25 minutes, turning completely after 10 minutes

Serves 6 people

Posted in Hawaiian Da Kine, Ohana

Tags: Bananas Foster, Barry Bannister, cajun dinner, Kamoiliili, Prince Kuhio School, St Louis Heights