Ingredients

  • 1 (5-pound) duck, trimmed of fat and cut into 8 pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
  • 1/2 pound tasso, small diced
  • 2 links andouille sausage, sliced
  • 2 cups chopped yellow onions
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell peppers
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, plus more for serving
  • 2 tablespoons Emeril's Original Essence, divided, recipe follows
  • 2 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped garlic
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
  • 5 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups long-grain white rice
  • 1 cup chopped green onions (green and white parts)
  • 1 pound small shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Method

  • Season the duck pieces with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a large, cast iron or enameled cast iron Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • When hot, add the duck, skin side down, and sear until golden brown on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Remove from the pan and set aside.
  • Add the tasso and andouille to the fat in the pot and cook, stirring, until browned, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the onions, bell peppers, celery, teaspoon of salt, cayenne, 1 tablespoon Essence, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Add the tomatoes, garlic, and bay leaves and cook, stirring, until the tomatoes give off some of their juices, about 2 minutes.
  • Add the thyme, stock, and browned duck pieces.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the duck is very tender, about 1 hour.
  • Remove duck pieces from the pan and cool slightly.
  • Skim the fat from the top of the liquid and discard.
  • When the duck is cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the skin and bones and tear the meat into bite size pieces.
  • Discard skin and bones.
  • Increase the heat to high and return the duck meat to the liquid.
  • When the liquid comes to a boil, add the rice and the green onions.
  • Stir well and continue cooking until liquid returns to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook until the rice is cooked and has absorbed all the liquid, usually 20 minutes.
  • Season the shrimp with the remaining 1 tablespoon of Essence.
  • Uncover the Dutch oven and, working quickly, add the shrimp to the pan and toss briefly and gently to combine.
  • Cover the pot, remove from the heat, and let sit, undisturbed, for 5 to 10 minutes, until the shrimp are opaque and pink.
  • Add the minced parsley to the jambalaya and stir gently.
  • Remove and discard the bay leaves.
  • Adjust the salt, pepper, and cayenne, to taste.
  • Serve directly from the pot.
  • Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
  • Yield: 2/3 cup