Louisiana Dirty Rice

This looks like an excellent side dish alternative.  This recipe comes from Facebook but is originally Ashley's Recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork sausage
• 4-5 cups cooked rice, prepared with chicken broth
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ¾ cup green bell pepper, diced
• ¾ cup yellow onion, diced
• ¼ cup celery, diced
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 tablespoon bacon grease or cooking oil
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

• In a large skillet, heat bacon grease or cooking oil.
• Add ground beef and sausage and brown.
• As meat begins to brown, add diced bell pepper, onion, and celery.
• When meat is fully browned, stir in herbs and spices except for parsley. 
• Mix well.
• Add flour. 
• Mix well again, ensuring the flour coats the meat.
• Add broth and bay leaves. 
• Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits. 
• Allow to simmer for 5-8 minutes.
• Fold in rice and parsley. 
• Simmer for 5 more minutes. 
• Serve.