bibliosylph's PMS Pantry Jambalaya

blather---->!I had bought 2 boxes of Zatarain's roasted vegetable rice mix in honor of N.O., and thought tonight would be a good night to try it out, because I needed a quick fix as I am severely in pain, and also needed to watch the Emmys. And I had no sausage, but it's pretty much the thing otherwise. !<----end blather

When I make a stew or stirred-together one dish meal, I tend to double every ingredient except the meat, in order to make 8 servings. So when you're making only 4 servings, instead of worrying about using 1/2 can of something, think of it as about 1 cup. Then you'll have about 1 cup leftover for another meal. It'll actually be a little less than a cup, but close enough.

If you are a meat lover, you'll want to leave that amount the same, because I didn't double it for the amount of rice I used.

First, in honor of Dr. Gregory House, self-medicate by tossing down some naproxen sodium with a full glass of water, and then follow it up with a large glass of Bass Ale. Then assemble the following:

4 TBS butter
1 small red chile pepper, whichever variety you desire, seeded and chopped fine
1/2 cup diced onion
2 cups seasoned, chopped cooked chicken (you may shred á la Britomart, if you wish.)

5 cups hot water (or you can use chicken broth, if you have some hanging around.)

2 boxes Zatarain's rice mix, most flavors will suit, but not the ones with beans
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained (or 2 cups chopped tomato, do not squish out the juice)
2 cups frozen corn (or 1 can)

Mostly, you're following box directions here:

In a 5 qt Dutch oven, melt the butter on medium-low heat, add pepper and onion, cook 2 or 3 minutes, then add chicken, turn up the fire a little, and heat through to meld flavors.

Add the hot water, and bring to a boil on high. Add the boxes of rice mix, bring to boil again, then simmer, with lid on, for 15 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, turning up heat long enough to bring back to a boil--probably less than a minute, and then simmer for 10 more minutes.

Some liquid should remain, but it will thicken as it cools, and leftovers will be very thick.

Serves 8.