Like Spice - Dirty Rice!

Looking for something spicy?  This makes a great entree, just add a veggie and bread.  I guess you can use serve it as a side dish as well, just remember it already has sausage in it.  I got this recipe from Christy Jordan from Southern Plate.  Many of her recipes have been in her family for generations.

I made this very nearly like it was written.  I didn't have celery, and didn't worry about it.  It was just fine without it.  This was tasty and an easy recipe to put together.
 
Dirty Rice

4-5 Cups cooked rice

1 pound uncooked sausage (or ground beef)

*1 -3 Tablespoons Creole Seasoning (I use Tony Chachere’s)

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 Bell Pepper, chopped

2 Tablespoons chopped or minced garlic

4 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (or 2 Tablespoons dried)

In large skillet over medium heat, place celery, bell pepper, garlic, onion, parsley, and sausage. Break up sausage and cook all, stirring regularly, until sausage is fully cooked and vegetables are tender. Add Creole seasoning, stir. Stir in rice and continue cooking over medium heat until rice is heated through, stirring well the whole time.

*For the Creole seasoning: Start on the low end and add more after the rice has been stirred in if you like more seasoning. This adds the spiciness so you want to do it to your personal taste. 

I omitted the celery, used Jimmy Dean hot sausage, and my own Creole seasoning made from Emeril's recipe.  I made a half-batch using 1/2 lb. sausage and 3 cups rice.  I used 1 1/2 TB of Creole seasoning, which may have been aggressive considering it is the equivalent of Christy's max.  There was additional heat from the sausage that I didn't take into consideration.  We do like spicy stuff, but this was on the hot side for us.

I served this with roasted asparagus, garlic bread and a wonderful Brancott Pinot Grigio from New Zealand ($6.97 at Costco).  This wine had the right balance of fruit and acidity.  The fruitiness paired well with the spiciness of the dish.

The link above will take you directly to this recipe, plus the accompanying story.  She has great stories.