Definition

Noun: 1. A spicy, savory dish originating from Louisiana Creole cuisine, typically made with rice, meat (such as ham, sausage, chicken, or seafood), tomatoes, peppers, onions, and celery, all cooked together in one pot.

Usage

"Jambalaya" is an uncountable noun referring to the dish as a whole. It is used to describe the specific culinary preparation. - The restaurant is famous for its seafood jambalaya. - We ate jambalaya for dinner. - She learned how to cook jambalaya from her grandmother.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• As a cultural symbol: The word can be used metaphorically to describe a lively mixture or blend of diverse elements, much like the dish itself combines various ingredients.
  • The city's music scene is a cultural jambalaya of jazz, blues, and zydeco.

Variants and Related Words

• Creole/Cajun cuisine: The broader culinary traditions to which jambalaya belongs.
• Gumbo: Another famous Louisiana stew, but typically thickened with okra or filé powder and served over rice, whereas rice is cooked within jambalaya.
• Étouffée: A Louisiana dish featuring shellfish in a rich sauce served over rice.

Synonyms

• Rice dish
• Creole stew
• One-pot meal

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A regular jambalaya": An informal phrase used to describe a situation, group, or mixture that is complex, colorful, or somewhat chaotic.
  • The meeting was a regular jambalaya of different opinions and ideas.

Noun

1. spicy Creole dish of rice and ham, sausage, chicken, or shellfish with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and celery