Trust’n Believe (TNB) Healthy Southern Recipe: Dirty Rice

I grew up eating Southern classics like dirty rice, a Creole dish made from white rice, small pieces of meat, and aromatic vegetables like green bell peppers, celery, and onion. Dirty rice gets its name from being cooked with these ingredients plus seasonings like cayenne and black pepper. Parsley and chopped green onion are a great and common way to garnish the finished dish.

Dirty rice is a comfort food that was a must-have in my family. So I decided to come up with a new way to cook my family’s dirty rice recipe that makes it healthy without sacrificing flavor. The result was so good that my family now prefers it over the original recipe. Just make sure to watch your portion sizes, and you’ll have the perfect meal. When food is good and wholesome you’ll feel satisfied with less.

Trust’n Believe (TNB) Dirty Rice (Serves 4)

• 2 cups brown rice

• 1/2 cup bone broth

• 1 lb ground lean turkey breast

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers

• 1/2 cup chopped onion

• 1/2 cup chopped celery

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 sprig fresh time

• 1 tbsp dried oregano

• 1 bay leaf

• 1/2 tsp ground fennel (optional)

• 1/4 cup chopped mushrooms (optional)

• Coarse black pepper to taste

• Kosher salt or seasoning salt to taste

Cook the rice and set aside.

The easiest way is to use a rice cooker. Add 2 cups of rice and 4 cups of water to the appliance. Close the lid and push down the lever. The level will pop up when the rice is done.

If using a saucepan, boil 4 cups of water over high heat. Add 2 cups of water. Cook until liquid is level with rice then immediately cover and lower flame to low heat to simmer for 10 minutes. Don’t lift the lid or let moisture escape for the full 10 minutes. Fluff and it’s ready!

Make the meat mixture.

In a sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic, and the mushrooms if using. Then add the ground turkey and cook, stirring, until the meat is browned, about 6 minutes. Add the thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper, and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add the stock and bay leaves, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and take out the bay leaves and thyme sprig.

You’re ready to portion out!

Add portioned out rice to portioned out meat mixture and stir thoroughly.

Stir in the parsley and serve. You can also add soy sauce to taste!

To reheat on the stove: Cook meat and rice in sauté pan on medium heat until heated through, about 5 minutes.

If you liked my Healthy Dirty Rice recipe, check out my recipe for Coconut Whipped Cream and Berries. It’s Paleo, sugar free, and the perfect finish to any meal.