If there’s one thing I love, it’s a challenge.  It had been a few years since the last time I made homemade dirty rice and to be honest I wasn’t even sure I remembered my old recipe.  There it was though, on my weekly menu plan, so I decided it had to be done.  After two plates of the stuff, I can honestly say now that I not only remember how to make my homemade dirty rice recipe, I know how to do it well.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound ground turkey (or beef)
1 smoked sausage (beef, pork or turkey)
olive oil
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
2 cups sweet peppers, coarsely chopped
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups cooked white rice
1 can hot Rotel
jalapeno slices (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Cut the entire smoked sausage into bite size pieces.  In a large stock pot, brown ground turkey and sausage in olive oil over medium heat. 

2.  When cooked through, add salt, pepper, chili powder and minced garlic.  Stir and cover.

3.  Place coarsely chopped peppers and onion in a blender or food processor and pulse until finely minced.

4.  Add all incredients except rice, reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 30 minutes.

5.  Stir in cooked rice, mix well and cover.  Allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes to meld the flavors.