Dirty Rice Recipe
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (or ground pork, or a mix of both)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, finely chopped (green is traditional, but any color works)
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
4 cups chicken broth (or water)
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp olive oil (or butter, for cooking)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
Cook the Rice:
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the rice, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes.
Cook the Meat and Vegetables:
While the rice cooks, heat the olive oil (or butter) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or pork) and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables soften.
Season the Mixture:
Add the paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper to the meat and vegetable mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
Combine Rice and Meat Mixture:
Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the meat and vegetable mixture. Stir to combine everything thoroughly. Add the bay leaf, and cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the flavors meld together.
Garnish and Serve:
Remove the bay leaf and discard it. Garnish with fresh parsley and chopped green onions before serving.