Dirty Rice – Cajun Style Pork Fried Rice

The Best Dirty Rice, Ever!

I just can’t say enough about this Dirty Rice recipe.  I’m telling you, truly, it’s the best version I’ve ever had and I’m not just saying that because it’s my recipe.  My wife and I just kept going back for seconds, thirds and fourths.  Okay, there was nothing left when we got done eating and my kids loved it too.  Now that’s saying something because this recipe has liver in it.  It’s true, I designed this recipe to be more family friendly and than the traditional spicy recipes but don’t let that steer you away from trying it.  Some chopped peppers and a dash of Cayenne will quickly put you back in business, if you like it hot, and I guarantee this recipe will be at the top of your list of rice recipes, from here on out.

Traditional Dirty Rice

Most Dirty Rice recipes have a kick to them.  This means peppers and spice.  I avoid both in this version for several reasons.  First, because it makes it more family friendly and, second, because it can easily be added to this recipe, with out changing a thing, if you prefer it.  And, third, this version is absolutely amazing.

I mentioned before that I don’t use peppers in this recipe.  I add sweet peas instead and as an alternative to using Old Bay or something even spicier, like “Slap Ya Mama”, I use Knorr Beef Bouillon.  Now that’s not to say that any beef bouillon will work, because I’m not sure that it will.  I just know that Knorr is uniquely seasoned and balanced to make this Dirty Rice perfect.  In my opinion, it’s a lot like Ramen Noodle season packs or the seasoning pack found in a box of Rice-A-Roni.  So know that I’m not advertising for Knorr, I just know that it just works wonders in this dish.

Also, be sure to check out my Cajun Stuffed Peppers, my Jambalaya and both my How to make Boudin and my Boudin Balls recipes.

Dirty Rice Ingredients:

2 cups Rice, uncooked
4 cups Water
8 oz Ground Pork
4 oz Chicken Liver
2 Garlic Cloves, chopped
1/2 Onion, chopped
2 Green Onions, chopped
1/2 cup Fresh Parsely, chopped
1 Celery Stick, chopped
1 Cup Peas
2 tbsp Knorr Beef Bouilion
1 Stick Butter

Be sure to watch the short video tutorial for this Dirty Rice recipe and I’ll show you exactly how to make it.

Crispy Fried Shrimp – Southern Restaurant Secrets

Fried ShrimpFried Shrimp at it’s Finest!

Oh I love me some Fried Shrimp.  Popcorn Shrimp, Jumbo Fried Shrimp or Coconut Shrimp, lay it on me. I won’t complain.  And in all honesty I don’t really have a favorite.  In fact the worst thing for me is the shell peeling and that’s just because it’s tedious.  But, it’s got to be done and it’s really easy to do if you know the technique.  But when it comes to Southern Fried Shrimp, you’r going to want to use a larger shrimp, jumbos even, and you’re going to need to leave on the tail for dipping.

This recipe is very simplistic and very easy for anyone to follow, based on very basic seasonings most everyone already has, right in their own kitchen.  Sure it can be perverted and spiced up like some kind of secret chicken recipe but it isn’t really necessary, unless you’ve just gotta have more kick.  But that’s entirely up to you.  Flour, Salt and Pepper, some Paprika and an egg wash with hot sauce will set your pallet off after you’ve fried these crustaceans!

Southern Fried Shrimp Ingredients:

2 lbs pealed Shrimp
2 cups Flour
2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Black Pepper
1 tbsp Paprika

2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp Hot Sauce (Louisiana hot sauce is great)

Oil for Frying (I use Peanut Oil)

Peel and de-vein your shrimp.  Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl and all the wet in another.  Place the shrimp in the dry ingredients first, then in the spicy egg wash and back into the flour a second time.  Fry at 350 degrees for 5 minutes or until golden brown.  Be sure the oil is hot and don’t over crowd the fryer.  I eat Southern Fried Shrimp with or without cocktail sauce.

Crawfish Etouffee with Cream

Crawfish Etouffee

Classic Crawfish Etouffee!

Traditionally there is absolutely no cream added to Crawfish Etouffee, but there are several different ways to make it.  I personally prefer the cream because it adds a lighter yet richer flavor for me that soothes the hick-ups in all the Cajun spices.  Now don’t get me wrong, I love spicy food as much as the next guy.  I’m just saying that adding cream to a french originated Cajun recipe, developed there in good ol’ New Orleans by those wonderful locals, isn’t exactly a fauxpas!  As long as you stick to the basics and keep the bulk of the recipe the way it was originally intended, then I don’t think we’re breaking any rules.  As long as it tastes great, what rules are we really breaking anyway?

Mirepoix
The main thing you need to understand is that this Crawfish Etouffee recipe generally starts out with a French style Mirepoix.  Basically, you combine and add chopped Celery, Onion and Carrots but in this recipe, we will not be adding any Carrots.  Instead we will be using Celery, Onion, Garlic and Bell Pepper.  Using these ingredients with a few Cajun spices and some classic Creole Seasoning, we will be well on our way to making one of the best Crawfish Etouffee Dinners you have ever had the pleasure to plate with rice!

Crawfish Etouffee Ingredients:

2 cups dry rice (follow cooking instructions)

1/4 stick Butter
1/2 cup Roux
5 Chopped Garlic Cloves
1/2 Chopped Onion
1 Chopped Celery Stock
1 chopped Bell Pepper
1 tsp Creole Seasoning
1/2 tsp Cajun Spice
4 Bay Leaves
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
2 tbsp Worcestershire
1 tsp Sriracha
1 bottle Clam Juice
2 cups Chicken Broth
1 cup Whipping Cream
1 lbs Crawfish Tail Meat

To make Crawfish Etouffee, saute the Mirepoix and add a shake of the Creole and Cajun Seasoning.  Add the Roux and stir thoroughly.  Once it’s combined turn heat to high, then add the Oyster Juice or Shrimp Stalk.  Stir until it’s Pasty, then add the Chicken Broth and stir.  Now add the Worcestershire, Hot Sauce (Sriracha or Louisiana), Cajun and Creole Seasoning and bring to a boil.  Add the cream and Italian Seasoning and bring it back to a boil.  Season the Crawfish in a separate bowl with Creole Seasoning, then add the Crawfish to the Etouffee and reduce heat to a simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.  Serve Crawfish Etouffee over rice and garnish with some Scallions.