Crockpot Shrimp, Sausage and Barley Jambalaya

1 lb. hot or mild Italian sausage, removed from casings
2 onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 long red chili or jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
2 tsp. Cajun seasoning (see Tips, below)
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cracked black peppercorns
1 cup pearl barley, thoroughly rinsed under cold running water
1 can (28 oz/796 mL) tomatoes, including juice, coarsely chopped
3 cups chicken stock
8 oz. medium shrimp, cooked, peeled and deveined
1 roasted red pepper, finely chopped (see Tips, below)

Directions:

In a nonstick skillet, cook sausage over medium high heat, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to slow cooker stoneware. Drain all but 1 Tbsp. fat from pan. Reduce heat to medium.

Add onions to pan and cook, stirring, until softened. Add garlic, chili pepper, Cajun seasoning, oregano, salt and peppercorns and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add barley and stir well. Add tomatoes and chicken stock and bring to a boil.

Pour mixture over sausage and stir. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Add shrimp and roasted pepper. Cover and cook on HIGH for 20 minutes, until shrimp is heated through.

TIPS:

If you don’t have a fresh chili pepper, stir in hot pepper sauce to taste, after the jambalaya is cooked.

Cajun seasoning is available in many supermarkets and specialty food store. If you can’t find it, substitute 1 tsp. EACH dried thyme leaves and paprika to this recipe.

To roast peppers: Preheat oven to 400 F. Place peppers on a baking sheet and roast, turning two or three times, until the skin on all sides is blackened. (This will take about 25 minutes.) Transfer peppers to a heatproof bowl. Cover with a plate and let stand until cool. Remove and, using a sharp knife, lift off skins. Discard skins and slice according to recipe instructions.

TO MAKE AHEAD: This dish can be partially prepared the night before it is cooked. Complete Steps 1 and 2, chilling the cooked sausage and tomato barley mixtures separately. Refrigerate overnight. The next morning, continue with Step 3.

Delicious & Dependable Slow Cooker Recipes

Comments from olga :

Barley is a dense and chewy grain, it is both nutritious and satisfying. I love barley and it is my comfort food. This flavorful mixture makes a great weeknight dinner or a terrific dish for a Friday night potluck with friends. Add a tossed salad, crusty country style bread, some robust wine and enjoy.

User Reviews:

This was an absolutely delicious recipe. I made it thinking it would last my wife and I several days, and we finished off the pot in TWO.
I added a few goodies: a couple celery stalks, a bay leaf, and didn't even bother with the cayenne. So good!

submitted by rouftop on December 05, 2006

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