Not So Dirty Rice Food

DIRTY RICE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, ground beef and chicken livers and cook, breaking the meat into small bits with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a medium heatproof bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Remove and discard all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the Dutch oven. Add the onion, bell pepper and celery and cook down, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme and bay leaves and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the rice, oregano, smoked paprika, cayenne, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cook about 30 seconds. Stir the cooked meat back in, then add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer and cover. Cook until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid, about 18 minutes.
• Remove from the heat. Remove and discard the bay leaves, stir in the scallions and season.

NOT-SO-DIRTY RICE

Steps:

• Pick through dry beans, rinse, and soak in water overnight at room temperature. Simmer for ~1½ hours, until JUST tender. Cool, drain, rinse.
• In a large bowl, mix the all ingredients thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate several hours. Taste for need of extra salt & pepper - may need another ¼ teaspoon.