Our Vegan Cajun Dirty Rice is inspired by the traditional Cajun rice dish which is a much loved street food or home-cooked meal eaten to celebrate Mardi Gras or the Carnival season which occurs 47 day in the lead up to Easter. Dirty rice is a tasty one-pot easy and quick family meal that is perfect for celebrating the spring season.
Large non-stick pan, deep fry pan or skillet, with lid
Food processer optional, to fine dice mushrooms, but this can be done with a knife
Ingredients
1tablespoonPlant-based margarine[or vegan butter or oil (or replace with ½ cup vegetable stock]
240gramsmushrooms[fine chopped into small dice by hand or use a food processor]
1cankidney beans[400g [14oz] can, drained or 240g cooked beans]
100gramscelery[2 stalks, small diced]
125gramsbell pepper[1 bell pepper, small diced]
190gramsonion[1 large onion, small diced, or replace with 2 teaspoons onion powder]
4clovesgarlic[sliced, use more if liked, or replace with 2 teaspoons garlic powder]
80gramspeas[fresh or frozen]
130gramsgreen beans[sliced into small pieces]
250gramslong grain rice[rinsed and drained]
1tablespoonsoy sauce[use Tamari soy sauce or coconut liquid aminos if requiring gluten-free]
1tablespoonCajun seasoning mix[or Creole seasoning, use more or less depending on personal preference.]
1pinchcayenne pepper[or more to taste, can be replaced with chilli powder or paprika or omitted]
1litrevegetable stock[use a vegan 'chicken' flavour if available such as 2-3 meat free chicken OXO cubes available in most UK supermarkets, use a gluten-free stock if necessary]
Optional, to serve
15gramsfresh parsley[chopped, or replace with spring onions [green onions] or coriander [cilantro]]
1red onion[sliced into thin rings, gherkins/dill pickles/jalapenos are also tasty]
vegan sour cream or mayonnaise or your favourite hot sauce
Instructions
Melt the margarine or heat the oil over a medium heat in a non-stick pan.[Or if using vegetable stock instead, bring the stock to a gentle boil]
1 tablespoon Plant-based margarine
Add the onions and mushrooms and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
240 grams mushrooms, 190 grams onion
Next, add the celery and bell pepper. Stir often and cook for 5 minutes.
100 grams celery, 125 grams bell pepper
Add the garlic, peas, green beans, kidney beans, and long-grain rice. Stir and cook for another 5 minutes.
80 grams peas, 130 grams green beans, 4 cloves garlic, 250 grams long grain rice, 1 can kidney beans
Stir through the Cajun seasoning mix and cayenne pepper.
Next pour in the soy sauce and vegetable stock. [If you use hot vegetable stock it will come to the boil quicker].Season with salt and black pepper.
1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 litre vegetable stock
Bring to the boil and over a medium heat simmer for 10 minutes.
Lower the heat, pop a lid over the pan, and cook for 20 minutes until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice cooked.If the rice needs longer to cook add an extra 125ml or ½ cup of hot stock or water and cook for longer with the lid on the pan until the liquid has absorbed. If the rice still needs longer, turn off the heat, but leave the pan on the stove top until softened.
Season with enough salt and black pepper to bring all the flavours out and to taste. Use a fork to fluff up the rice grains as you stir through the seasonings.
Serve with fresh chopped parsley sprinkled over the rice and fresh or pickled red onion rings. A dollop of vegan mayonnaise or sour cream is also delicious, as is a few of your favourite pickles or chopped gherkins.For those who prefer extra heat add a few drops of your preferred hot sauce, a few jalapeños, or fresh chopped chilli.
15 grams fresh parsley, 1 red onion, vegan sour cream or mayonnaise or your favourite hot sauce
Notes
Nutritional data is provided for guidance only and is not a strict calculation as ingredients vary.
Nutritional info does not include the optional garnishes.
The calculation does include the margarine, fresh parsley and red onion rings.
Cool down leftovers quickly and place in a covered container. Leftover Cajun dirty rice can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze leftovers for up to 4 months.
To reheat add to a non-stick pan along with some veggie stock or a little vegan margarine/butter or oil, and stir over a medium heat until piping hot. Or place in an oven proof pan, cover the baking dish with a lid or piece of kitchen foil, and reheat in a hot oven until piping hot. Sprinkle a little water over the rice, just a few tablespoons, so that the rice does not dry out to much.
Or microwave leftovers until piping hot.
Cajun dirty rice does make a tasty chilled rice salad, and can be enjoyed with raw salad veggies and your favourite condiments, wrapped up in a tortilla wrap.