Main Dish Monday!!

Come back every Monday for "Main Dish Monday" featuring a favorite main dish from my collection. This week's main dish is something that I threw together one night with left-over hot Italian sausage. This quick dish is a favorite at our house. I use fresh vegetables from the garden or Farmer's Market for best taste. Increase the hot sauce (I use Texas Pete but you can substitute with Tabasco) for a spicier kick. I know, you are probably wondering WHY a girl from Central Pa's Dutch Country LOVES hot spicy foods....well, I was transplanted here at the age of 6. My family is mostly from the south!! For a twist add cooked shrimp to the mix.

Serve with a side salad and garlic bread and Fresh Lemonade (see recipe on this blog)...YUM!!

Southern Style Spicy Rice

• 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 2 Hot Italian Sausages, sliced
• 1 cup chopped Onion
• 1/2 cup chopped Green Pepper
• 1/4 chopped Celery
• 1 clove Garlic, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups chopped Tomato
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1/2 tsp dried Thyme
• 1/2 tsp Tabasco
• 1 cup long-grain Rice
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh Parsley

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add sliced sausage and saute for 5 minutes until partially cooked.
2. Stir in the onion, peppers, celery and garlic. Saute for about 3 minutes more, just until vegetables are softened.
3. Add the tomatoes, water, thyme and Tabasco and bring to a boil. Sprinkle in the rice and salt. Cover and turn heat down to low and cook for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender.
4. Garnish with Parsley before serving.
5. Serves 4 as a main dish.