Cajun-style Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cups fat-free vegetable stock
• 1 cup quick-cooking rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil, or more as needed
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cubed
• 1 cup cubed celery
• 5 oz vegan bacon, diced
• 9 oz vegan meatballs
• Cajun or Creole seasoning mixture to taste
• hot pepper sauce to taste
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Procedures

1. Place stock in large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Add rice, reduce heat to low and cook according to package directions.
3. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat, and sauté onion, peppers and celery for 7 to 10 minutes, or until wilted, fragrant and slightly golden.
4. Remove from skillet, and set aside.
5. With oil remaining in skillet, cook "bacon" and "meatballs", adding more oil as needed.
6. Sauté 5 or 6 minutes, and remove from heat.
7. When rice is cooked and all liquid absorbed, add vegetables, bacon, meatballs, Cajun seasoning, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper to rice, stirring until well combined.
8. Continue to cook 5 minutes more, and serve.