Thomas Jefferson's Jambalaya

Thomas Jefferson's Jambalaya

1 tablespoon shortening
1 pound ham or pork sausage
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon flour
3 cups shrimp, peeled, cleaned and cooked
1 large onion, sliced
3 cups tomatoes, skinned, seeded and diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons parsley
2 cups long grained rice
4 cups water
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon red pepper

Melt shortening in a large fry pan. Cut ham or pork into 1/2 inch cubes and add to shortening, stir for 1 minute and add green pepper ; cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.

Stir in flour until smooth and cook 1 to 2 minutes.

Add shrimp, onion, tomatoes, garlic and parsley. Cook until it starts to boil, stir in rice and 4 cups water, salt, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper; cover tightly and cook for 30 minutes or until rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.