Jambolaya with Shrimp

Happy Fat Tuesday:
(serves 8)

4 T. butter
2 T. all-purpose flour
3 small sweet* white* onions, chopped
2* cloves of garlic, minced
1/2* cup smoked* ham, cut into strips
2 cups peeled, seeded, and diced fresh* tomatoes
1 t. dried oregano
2 cups uncooked white rice
3 cups low sodium* chicken broth, heated to boiling*
2 lbs. uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed*

In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in flour until smooth. Stir in onion, garlic, and ham, and stir until onion is soft. Stir in tomatoes, and cook for 5 mins. Mix in oregano, rice, and hot broth. Cover and simmer until just a little liquid remains. Add shrimp, and stir to evenly distribute. Cook for 8 mins. or until rice is cooked and shrimp turns pink. Set a bottle of hot sauce on the table, a warm crusty loaf of bread, and "Laissez le bon temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!)

Hope you get to catch some beads today.

Love,

MM