Eggplant Rice Dressing- Cajun

Mama's Kitchen (Hope)'s Note:

This is a healthy and tasty alternative to dirty rice. Also a great way to get the kids to try and love eggplant! I usually make this with one pound of ground turkey to reduce the fat and calories. To add even more flavor you can increase the onion and garlic if you like but we find it well seasoned as is. Sometimes we will even add some celery in with the onion mixture. Use what you have and what you like. Any color bell peppers are fine too! Red and yellow peppers add a nice color addition. Likewise, you do not HAVE to peel the eggplant if you want to leave the skin on. Just dice them up small. Another great color addition to a simple meal! Also, you can make this vegetarian if you use vegetable broth and leave out the meat or substitute TVP. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 2 lbs ground turkey or 2 lbs chicken or 2 lbs beef
• 1 large eggplant , peeled and chopped
• 1 onion , chopped
• 2 bell peppers , chopped
• 4 large garlic cloves , minced
• ½ cup green onion , chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth (or 1 can plus a little water)
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper , adjust to taste
• 1 tablespoon season salt , to taste (I use Tony Cachere's which is spicier but you can use Season All which has no heat or cayenne)
• 3 cups brown rice, cooked (measured after it's cooked) or 3 cups white rice , if preferred

Directions:

1. Brown ground meat and drain well. Rinse with water if desired. Reduce heat and add eggplant, onions, bell peppers, garlic and green onions. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Add the broth and just a little water if needed so that it almost covers the mixture. Stir in seasoning and bring mixture to a boil. Simmer stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes or until it has reached a desirable consistency. I like to have some liquid left in the bottom when I add the rice.
3. Stir in cooked rice until well mixed and the remaining liquid has absorbed into the rice as much as you want. Serve hot as a side dish or a main dish.
4. Note: For those who like lots of heat this is great served with tabasco or other hot sauce or even a sauce piquant! Ces' si bon!

Reviews

[Three Kids Make Me Crazy]

This was okay but pretty bland. I only used a teaspoon of cayenne and it was plenty. I think next time instead of using the water I'll try it with beef broth and that should add a lot more flavor. The kids ate quite a bit though so it's an easy way to get your kids to eat their veggies (hence the four stars).