Creole Rice

White rice flavored with onions, carrots, thyme, and parsley is a staple in the French West Indies. This is a flavorful side dish on its own or served with Chicken Columbo, a French West Indies tradition.

2-1/2 cups long-grain white rice
1 tsp. salt
1 onion, peeled
1 branch parsley
1 branch thyme
1 carrot, peeled

Soak the rice in cold water for 15 minutes and drain.

In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add salt, onion, parsley, thyme, and carrot. Add the rice and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes.

Remove the onion, parsley, thyme, and carrot. Drain the rice in a colander. Rinse under cold running water. Drain again and turn into saucepan.

Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes until the rice grains are completely dry.

Yield: 6 servings