Today, we’ll go to the second part of this lovely meal – the starch. Long ago I gave up plain old white rice. It’s just as dull as a baked potato. Unless it’s a red potato straight out of your garden. You don’t even need butter to eat one of those.

I have tried a variety of rices and this is what I’ve settled on: Texmati Rice Select Royal Blend Whole Grain Rice. That’s a mouth full, isn’t it? It’s a blend of brown and wild rice with soft wheat and rye. That’s an even bigger mouthful.

The point is, it’s full of great grains, is low in calories and heart healthy. Sometimes it’s a hard to find, but it’s out there at most grocery stores. If you can’t find this product, then substitute brown rice. Still very healthy with a nice, nutty taste.

Here’s the basics

Let me stop and explain that true Cajun Dirty Rice involves sausage, chicken livers, onion, celery and pepper. Yuck. This is not that. This is just some jazzed up rice. I love eating Cajun food as long as I don’t know what’s in it.

But back to the Dancing Dog Ranch Dirty Rice. First, rough chop 4 big mushrooms.

Nice big chunks of mushrooms

Since they cook down so much, a big chop turns into a good size when cooked. Follow the directions on the package for the rice. It’s basically a cup of rice, 2 1/2 cups of water and a bit of salt. I add the mushrooms, a Tbs of butter and lots of freshly cracked pepper.

That’s Lots of Pepper!

Bring to a boil, stir once and cover. Reduce heat to simmer. It takes 45 minutes to cook and another 5 to 10 to absorb the rest of the liquid, so you need to start while the charcoal is heating up.

I tried something new this time to see if it made any difference. I put foil over the rice and then put the lid on the top while it simmered. I do think it made the rice a bit better.

Almost looks like Jiffy Pop

When the rice it done, it looks like this.

Lovely, delicious and healthy rice

That’s part two of the dinner. Tomorrow’s column day and then we’ll finish it all up on Friday with some great vegetables.

By the way, look who came by to visit while we were grilling.

One pretty antelope

Actually the Dancing Dog Ranch is right in the middle of where the deer and antelope play!

Spreading laughter throughout the world…one chuckle at a time.

Mikie Baker
www.mikiebaker.com