Orange Rice

Growing up in the Ozarks of Missouri, I didn't have any friends that ate grits for breakfast or things like red beans and rice and gumbo, like my family. My mom was born and raised in south Louisiana. She cooked foods for us that reflected her southern heritage. I will post more of her wonderful recipes soon, but let's start with a family favorite.

This recipe is no only a family favorite, it is super easy to make. Your kids will love it. What is funny about this recipe, is the name. In my family it is know as "Orange Rice." Truth is.....it isn't really orange at all, it is more of a reddish color. It consists of tomato sauce, shrimp and sausage as well as the rice. Perhaps there is a more glamorous title to be had, but in my family....it will remain "Orange Rice." Enjoy!

You need: 1 chopped onion, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. parsley,
1 tsp. cajun seasoning ( I use Tony Chachere's), 1 tsp. sugar,
2 lbs/1 qt. shrimp, 1 lb. Hillshire Farms smoked sausage,
1 28 oz. can of tomato sauce, 4-5 cups of rice.

Cook down your onion in a small amount of olive oil. Once the onions are cooked, add sausage that has been chopped into bite size chunks and all of the seasonings and sugar.

 

Let that cook a few minutes and then add your tomato sauce and 1 cup of water.



Now you will add your rice. You have some options here. You can add already cooked rice, and this will speed up your dish. If you wish to add raw rice, this will take a while longer, but will cook with your sauce and seasonings.

Once your rice is cooked, you will add the shrimp. Remember, shrimp does not take long to cook. Once they turn a pinkish/orange color they are cooked through.

Ta-da..Orange Rice is ready to serve!