Dirty rice
Last year I made a huge effort to get the girls to eat "regular" food (as in not "kid food"). Though sausages and baked beans and fish fingers were popular and fairly easy to make, I knew it was time to make the switch. I was also tired of preparing two meals … one for them and one for me and my husband. After lots or trial and error, it worked! Now I get really excited when I find a recipe that we all love. Especially one with a really cool name. Here's how the conversation at the Scott household went last night:
What's for dinner mum?
Dirty rice.
Giggles.
You mean we're eating DIRT?
No silly! It's just called dirty rice. The mince makes it look dirty.
ALEXANDRA! Guess what's mum's making for dinner. DIRT!
This recipe is supposed to contain chicken gizzards — but I thought that may be a bit too ambitious.
Cajun Dirty Rice
500 g mince beef (or pork)
1 small onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
2 cups basmati rice
4 cups chicken broth (can use a stock cube)
salt and pepper to taste
Brown mince with garlic, onion, celery and peppers. Saute for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add seasonings. Stir in basmati rice. Add chicken stock. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until rice is fluffy.
“This post is part of the #FaveFamilyRecipes Competition with BritMums and Tilda Rice (well, not really as I can't reallu enter as I am the foudner of BritMums!) Every pack sold will provide a meal to an expectant mum in need in support of the World Food Programme’s Mothers Helping Mothers initiative in Bangladesh.”
Photo credit: ramble on Sylvie
Kate Davis-Holmes | 22nd Jan 13
You dirty blogger! So is it really possible to move children away from kid food? You have inspired me!
Trish@ Mum's Gone to | 6th Sep 10
Have printed this recipe out – sounds a good ‘un!
Home Baked | 17th Feb 10
Dirt for dinner! This gave me a chuckle – thanks!
MommyTime | 16th Feb 10
Ah, isn’t that move to everyone eating the same thing just bliss? At 3 and 6, mine still sometimes need their meal components presented differently (no sauce, extra sauce, “mixed up” items like stew separated into piles of individual ingredients), but we are pretty well in the land of single-meal-dom. I will look forward to trying this one! Our latest fave, if you’re looking for other ideas: coconut shrimp (pat dry thawed shrimp, dip in beaten egg, roll in crumb mixture that’s 1/2 panko, 1/2 coconut & fry in small amount of oil in shallow pan.) Serve with rice & stir fry veg. YUM! all around.
Expat Mum | 15th Feb 10
Wow – impressed that the kids eat it, but it looks great. You’re right to stop cooking two meals. I did that with my older two because the Ball & Chain was away a lot, but I should have just made them eat “adult food”. However, when the little guy came along, I was older and wiser – he ate whatever we ate, just mashed up. Unfortunately, his palate seems to be getting more and more limited as he gets older, and at 6, won’t try much new stuff. Pah!
Helen | 15th Feb 10
Nice one. We *try* to eat the same food, together for much the same reasons (cooking and cleaning up two meals rather than one is a pain, makes shopping easier etc) but sometimes it’s more successful than others.
For example Root Veg Tagine tonight. We loved it, kids not so keen. But we’ll definitely try this, mince always goes down well and the whole ‘Dirty’ thing will tickle the boys.
Thanks!
Luschka | 15th Feb 10
That sounds quite flavourful!
A Modern Mother | 15th Feb 10
@toomany yes I have a few of those!
@metmum my middle one used to eat sand … a huge bummer as we lived really near the beach!
Metropolitan Mum | 15th Feb 10
Ah, I am looking forward to the stage beyond eating dirt. At the moment we are shoving about two handfuls a day into our little mouth…
TooManyHats | 15th Feb 10
I love it! Just wait until they all tell their teachers you made them eat dirt. I see a parent/teacher conference in your future.
A Modern Mother | 15th Feb 10
@heather — try it, you’ll like it
@brit — my picky eater actually pushes the peppers aside, but the celery and onions were so small she didn’t notice!
@emma — let me know how it goes
Emma @ Notsuchayummymummy | 15th Feb 10
That sounds lovely! I’ve printed off the recipe & will give it a go this week!
Brit In Bosnia | 15th Feb 10
Looks delicious. Might have to give this a go. You never know, my fussy eater might go for it? If not, the grown ups will love it!
Heather | 15th Feb 10
that does sound nice! yum yum. might have to try this one out on the kids.
A Modern Mother | 15th Feb 10
It’s the new favourite here. Sadly, sans tabasco!
Liz (LivingwithKids) | 15th Feb 10
This sounds delish – I would have drawn the line at chicken gizzards too. I love Cajun food, and anything with Tabasco. Mmmm.