Dirty Rice with Pork

I like to experiment with food and recipes, and I realize that with most picky eaters they like their tried and true foods. That is the beauty of this recipe - most kids like rice, and if they haven't got an aversion to mince, they should hopefully be fairly willing to try this New Orleans homage. The Dude ate all his food, and when he had leftovers the following day he eagerly finished those too, and if you chop 'em small enough no one notices they are eating any veggies!

This is also a great dish to make ahead and refrigerate for a couple days. I didn't get a chance to take a photo since the camera went on a walkabout, but it ends up looking more like a rice risotto (the boxed stuff, for you Kiwi folks - not the classic creamy risotto).




Ingredients:
1 T. olive oil
500g (1 lb) lean minced pork (ground pork)
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 carrot, finely grated

1 parsnip, grated

2 stalks celery, very finely chopped

1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 cups basmati rice
3 1/4 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon salt
2 bay leaves

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Turn the heat to high and add the pork. Cook over high heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks until cooked through.

Add the onion, garlic, carrot, parsnip and celery* to the pan. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the coriander, cumin and cayenne pepper and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds.

Add the rice and cook, stirring, until chalky white, about 3 minutes.

Add the stock, salt and bay leaves; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the rice is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. If you are saving it for later, let it cool down completely before transferring to a baking dish and covering to put in the fridge. Then, when you are near ready to eat, heat your oven to 160C/325F and heat the rice through.

*I add the remaining half of a leek with the other veggies and just chopped it up very fine. I wouldn't say to go out and ensure you have a leek to add, but if it's sitting in your fridge going soft, add away!

Serves: 1 pregnant lady, 1 hungry man and 1 active toddler with enough leftovers for 2 lunches (for the husband, Green Thumb and The Dude).