Tuesday, 30 June 2009

• Tasty Tuesday - Dirty Rice

  
  
  I found this recipe on Hillbilly Housewife while searching out Depression Meals.  No, not meals to eat if you are depressed, but meals that were staples in the Great Depression.  I found, and fell in love w/ Clara... maybe you have seen her and her the videos.  She is a lady that grew up during the Great Depression and has shared some recipes and stories of her family and how life was in those years.  She is in her 90s now and a true joy.  Check out all of her Depression Cooking meals here on YouTube.
  
  I made the recipe for Dirty Rice because 1) I had the ingredients (or thought I had all of them) and 2) it looked like something my family would like.  In the end they rated this 7.5 out of 10, which is a keeper.  Next time, when I have all the ingredients, perhaps it will have a better rating.  (as always the written recipe is in black, my modifications or tid-bits are in red.)  
  
  Dirty Rice
  

  • 1/2 to 1 pound ground beef or turkey (I used 2 # gr. turkey)
    
  • 1 onion, chopped (sweet onion - its all I ever get)
    
  • 1 green pepper, chopped (only had 3/4 of a red or orange pepper)
    
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped (didn't have, so I cooked the meat w/ 1/2 - 1 tsp celery salt)
    
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced (used powder)
    
  • 1 cup long grain white rice (a cup or two, give or take)
    
  • 4 beef flavored bouillon cubes (I used 1 - 2 T of beef base paste)
    
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
    
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (I used chili paste instead)
    
  • 3 to 4 cups tap water
  • 1-1/2 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium version)
    

  I like to make this in a 12″ skillet because the rice expands a lot. You could use a 3-quart or larger saucepan, if you don’t have a skillet that’s big enough. Fry up your meat until it is all broken up and brown. Drain off the fat if necessary. Add the vegetables and garlic and saute until the onions are tender and fragrant. Add the rice, bouillon, paprika, red pepper flakes, 3 cups of tap water and the soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to very low and put a good lid on the skillet or saucepan. Simmer for about 30 minutes. If you think you need it, then add more water while it cooks, to keep things moist. Makes 4 to 6 servings. Serve hot with fresh or canned fruit on the side.  (Apparently I got the paprika and water measured out, and that's iffy... its a forgiving recipe and the family liked it.  If your family doesn't like spicy omit the pepper flakes or just add smidge to the plate of the person that likes a bit of kick.  Enjoy!)

  

  
  

  Some don't know about base paste, I get it at Costco, I use it in place of boullion - it has real meat in it and has to be kept in the frig.  This is what a chicken version looks like...

  
  

  If you make the recipe, let me know how you liked it.

  Til tomorrow.~G
  

  ________________________________
  

  Outside of the Blog -
  

  Arby's Wednesday Deals
  
  If you are in any of these locations (apparently Arby's isn't these deals nationwide any longer)  -
  
  Texas: Dallas & Houston
  Utah: Salt Lake City
  Washington: Seattle
  Oregon: Portland
  California: Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, San Diego
  
  Tomorrow you can get a free regular Beef and Cheddar for the price of a small soft drink or an Orange Cream Swirl Shake if you purchase any sandwich.
  
  

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