Authentic New Orleans Jambalaya

This is a fine recipe for traditional shrimp jambalaya.
You can add more cayenne or hot sauce
to make it as hot as you like.

Ingredients:
4 cups cooked rice
8 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
5 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined shrimp
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup green onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped
Salt, pepper and cayenne
Pepper to taste

Directions:
Cook rice while make jambalaya
(or you can use leftover rice for this).
Melt butter or margarine in a large saucepan;
then saute the onion, celery, pepper and garlic about 5 minutes.
Mix in the tomato paste, stirring constantly
for about 5 minutes longer over low heat.
Add in the sugar and 1 1/2 cups water.
Season to taste with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.
Cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat for approximately 15 minutes.
Add raw shrimp and cook 5 minutes longer.
Dissolve cornstarch in 1/2 cup warm water;
add to pan and cook 2 minutes longer.
Add in the cooked rice, green onion and parsley.
Mix again and cook for a couple of minutes.