Laughing Out Loud

by Andrew Horton

  IL DOLCI

  Fresh 'Fruit

  Tray of Pastries

  `Nuts

  2maretti di Saronno Cookies

  C,rappa

  Espresso

  A Screenwriter's Recipe for Comic Jambalaya

  Now it is your turn.

  Many readers of my Writing the Character-Centered Screenplay have written that they enjoyed the recipe for Screenwriter's Gumbo that I added at the end of that book. In the same spirit, I urge you to call up your comic and even noncomic friends and cook up the following main dish. Why not serve this first and then do a reading of your script afterwards? A hearty Greek salad goes well with this. Jambalaya is stick-to-your-bones Cajun food, and during our twenty years of living in New Orleans, my wife and I served more than our fair share of it to friends, as laughter filled the evening along with the spicy aroma. Good luck and bon appetit.

  SERVES 6

  INGREDIENTS

  DIRECTIONS: Ina large pot (a five-quart cast-iron Dutch oven would be great!), heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Season the chicken parts with salt and pepper and the cayenne, thyme, oregano and basil. Saute parts until golden brown. Add sausage and cook another ten to fifteen minutes. Add bell pepper, garlic and chopped onions. Saute three to five minutes longer. Add the chicken stock and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce to a simmer. Add the rice and any more salt and pepper desired. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover, cooking thirty minutes. Remove and stir in the green onions and parsley. Cover and cook another five minutes. Serve hot.

  NO T E : Substitutes for chicken work well too. I've had fun with rabbit, and I'm told squirrel jambalaya is fine too, though I haven't tried it. The same recipe would hold.

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