Andrea and I have tossed this screaming hot recipe around a couple of times – almost always with wonderful results. Here is today’s snapshot. This is NOT a truly vegetarian dish… but it could be with the removal of the “chicken” based stock and Ham.
1 large Onion
1 Red Pepper and 1 Yellow Pepper
1 Anaheim Pepper
2 Jalapeno Peppers
2 tablespoons tomato paste.
2 cups rice
2 cups “chicken stock”
1 package (400g) extra firm Tofu
3 tablespoons Emeril Lagasse Creole Spice mix
2 cups diced Ham
1/4 cup canola oil
Step 1 – put rice on to cook (set aside once fluffed)
Step 2 – chop all peppers and onions into small chop (dice)
Step 3 – Combine 3 tablespoons creole mix with 1/4 cup oil to make a liquid paste
Step 4 – Cut Tofu into 1 X 1” cubes. Toss into creole oil/paste mix
Step 5 – Pan fry Tofu until all sides are browned/crisp + set aside.
Step 6 – Heat 1/4 cup oil in large pot. Add all onions and peppers
Step 7 – Saute veg for 10 minutes until softened.
Step 8 – Add tomato paste to 1/2 cup chicken stock
Step 9 – Combine rice + veg + tofu to complete dirty rice,
adding remainder of stock.
You can garnish with green onions, cilantro or even sprinkle whole or crushed nuts.
We warned – this is a VERY hot dish. Not for the faint of heart.
Creole Spice Mix:
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
Makes 2/3 of a cup.