April 2015
Today in Mississippi
Taco Rice 1 cup rice 2 cups water 1 tsp. Better Than Bouillon Chicken Base 1 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. Amore Tomato Paste 1 to 1 ½ tsp. taco seasoning (recipe at right) ½ tsp. onion powder ¾ tsp. cumin
Taco Seasoning: 1 Tbsp. chili powder ¼ tsp. garlic salt ¼ tsp. onion powder ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes ¼ tsp. dried oregano ½ tsp. paprika 1 ½ tsp. ground cumin ¾ tsp. sea salt ¾ tsp. coarse ground black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a medium pot. Bring to a boil. Stir and cover. Reduce heat to low and cook about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and keep covered 10 minutes. Fluff and serve plain or with your favorite toppings (lime juice, cilantro, chopped tomatoes, etc.).
What’s nice about rice
Mississippi is the fourth-largest U.S. producer of rice, after Arkansas, Louisiana and California. Leading rice-producing counties in Mississippi are Bolivar, Washington and Sunflower, although rice is grown in most counties in the Mississippi-Yazoo Delta. Rice is one of Mississippi’s top agricultural exports. Mississippi’s annual rice crop contributes more than $347 million in value to the state’s economy, according to the USA Rice Federation. Mississippi’s rice crop is planted in March and April and harvested in August and September. In winter, flooded rice fields help support migratory waterfowl.
The rice plant has about 120,000 varieties. Mississippi producers grow longgrain rice. U.S.-grown rice is gluten-free and has only a trace of fat. Keep the lid on the pot while cooking rice to prevent steam from escaping. At the end of cooking time, test rice for doneness. If it is not tender or liquid is not absorbed, replace lid and cook 2 to 4 minutes longer. When rice is cooked, fluff with a fork to allow steam to escape. A rice cooker will automatically cook rice until done and keep it warm until serving time. Follow the cooker’s instructions for best results.
Don’t go near a line that’s down If you come across a downed power line, we have two words of advice:
Stay away! Treat every downed line like the potential killer it is. Call for help from law enforcement officials or your electric power association. Stay on the scene to warn others, but don’t go near the line!
A safety message from your local
Electric Power Association
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