We’re Down With Dirty Rice

I have to say it: This recipe is down and dirty.

Dirty rice is a great one-dish meal. It’s easy to fix and can be varied depending on what you have on hand. A favorite in New Orleans, it gets its name from the bits of meat that color the rice.

This version can be made hot with cayenne pepper; season to your taste. Put out the bottle of hot sauce for the heat-lovers. Be sure to enjoy this with an ice-cold beer to beat the heat.

Dirty Rice

Active Work Time: 10 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 30 minutes

You can substitute chicken livers for the ground beef. File powder and Cajun seasoning can be found in the spice aisle of well-stocked supermarkets.

1 tablespoon oil

3 slices bacon, chopped

1/2 pound ground beef

1/2 onion, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 cup rice

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1/2 teaspoon file powder

1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

Cayenne pepper

2 green onions, thinly sliced

Salt, pepper

* Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and ground beef and cook until beef browns, 3 to 5 minutes. Add onion, bell pepper and celery and saute until slightly softened, about 2 minutes.

* Stir in rice. Add chicken stock and bring to simmer. Cover and cook 15 minutes. Add file powder, Cajun seasoning and cayenne to taste. Cook until liquid has evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in green onions and add salt and pepper to taste.

3 to 4 servings. Each of 4 servings: 416 calories; 525 mg sodium; 41 mg cholesterol; 21 grams fat; 41 grams carbohydrates; 14 grams protein; 0.63 gram fiber.

MENU

Dirty Rice

Cold Beer

GAME PLAN

30 minutes before: Chop onion, bell pepper and celery. Brown ground beef and cook bacon.

20 minutes before: Add rice to skillet.

Just before serving: Stir in green onions and season with salt and pepper.

INGREDIENTS

Staples

Bacon

Cayenne pepper

Chicken stock

Hot pepper sauce

Oil

Onion

Rice

Shopping list

Bell pepper

Celery

Cajun seasoning

File powder

Green onions

Ground beef