Mardi Gras is the perfect time to serve spicy and delicious Cajun food. Gumbo is very popular, as well as Jambalaya. However, one of the best Cajun side dishes is the following Dirty Rice which is a bit different, and goes well with many Cajun mains such as Almost Mr. B’s BBQ Shrimp or Shrimp Creole

Don’t worry that this version contains chicken livers (most people say “ick!”); while they add flavor, they do not add that much-hated liver texture; authentic dirty rice recipes always use giblets such as livers and gizzards. I don’t tell anyone what is in this yummy rice and no one is the wiser.

12 Servings

2 tablespoons butter
1 pound chicken livers, cleaned of any membrane or veins and finely chopped
1 cup chopped small onions
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 cup celery, chopped
1 large jalapeno pepper, cored and chopped
1 pound ground pork
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
2 teaspoons Creole seasoning (with salt) – more or less to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon crushed red hot pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 cups Converted Rice, such as Uncle Ben's

1. Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté setting; add the butter and let it melt.
2. Stir in the chicken livers, onion, bell pepper, celery, and jalapeno pepper; stir for a minute or two until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add the ground pork and stir until broken up and browned.
4. Stir in the garlic, seasoning salt, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.
5. Add the chicken stock and rice; stir well, cover, set the valve to sealing, and set the pot to manual for 6 minutes.
6. When the cycle is finished, let sit for 10 minutes.
7. Release the pressure, fluff the rice, and serve.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 232 Calories from Fat 82
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 35% Protein 25% Carb. 39%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 9 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Cholesterol 173 mg
Sodium 818 mg
Total Carbohydrate 23 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 15 g

Vitamin A 91% Vitamin C 42% Calcium 0% Iron 20%