Looking for a delicious dish made with beer  to "wow" your Super Bowl crowd or light your senses during "Mardi Gras Madness?"   This sumptuous combination of flavors meets the excitement of the season as it dances on your palate in a samba of tasty sensations.

Dogtown Jambalaya

The Beer Fox says, “A taste of New Orleans, this Cajun bake made with Magic Hat Fat Angel takes you right on down to the French Quarter!”

Recommended Brew:  Magic Hat Fat Angel, Magic Hat Brewing Co., South Burlington, Vermont USA
Style: American Pale Ale – Honey in color with creamy ivory head – A lively ale with subtle overtones of citrusy hops that evenly match the sweetness of malt; leaves a satisfying velvet feel on the tongue, followed by a bold, dry finish.

12 slices bacon
1 medium onion, peeled and diced
1 large green pepper, seeded and diced
2-3 stalks celery, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. ham (use thick ham slice), diced
2 C. Uncle Ben’s white rice, uncooked
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/8 teaspoon Cajun spice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 can (16 oz.) tomatoes, diced
2 lbs. frozen raw shrimp, peeled and de-veined
12 oz. Fat Angel
2 C. boiling water
1 bay leaf
1 small green pepper, seeded and sliced in rings
fresh parsley
dash of paprika

In large skillet, sauté bacon until nearly crispy. To prepare as a garnish, before removing from skillet, twirl each in a curl using a fork, and secure with a toothpick. Allow to cool on absorbent paper towels.

Using same skillet, sauté onion, peppers, celery and garlic in bacon drippings. Add diced ham. Drain fat and set aside.

In 12-cup baking dish, combine rice, sugar, salt, cayenne, Cajun spice, Worcestershire sauce, and tomatoes.

Separate shrimp in cold water for 1 minute, drain, and add to rice mixture. Combine sautéed vegetable/ham mixture.

Slowly combine Fat Angel with boiling water. Add to baking dish and mix to thoroughly blend. Add bay leaf. Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

To serve, remove bay leaf. Lightly fluff mixture and pull some shrimp to the top. Garnish with bacon curls, green pepper rings, fresh parsley, and paprika.

* Health Benefit: Rich in protein, vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, copper, pantothenic acid

Enjoy!