Florida Sand Dunes

This recipe is based on the ever-popular rice dish Hawaiian Haystacks - rice stacked high with chicken gravy, fresh vegetables, cheese, chow mein noodles, and pineapple. We happen to have a large pile of oranges that we received from my mom, and need to use. Well, oranges come from Florida, and thus tonight's Florida Sand Dunes were born.

Florida Sand Dunes
1/2 lb. ground beef
2 stalks celery, sliced
1/4 cup broccoli
1/2 cup carrots
1 can beef broth, divided
1/2 tsp. each chili powder, black pepper, and garlic powder
Salt to taste

Sauce:
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. minced dry onion
1 tsp. chives
1 tsp. garlic powder
Dash each black pepper and paprika
Salt to taste

Cooked rice
Chow mein noodles
Peanuts
Orange, peeled and chopped

Cook the ground beef and the celery together until beef is browned. Add broccoli, carrots, and 1/4 cup beef broth. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Stir in spices.

While the meat is simmering, make the sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour until smooth. Stir in remaining beef broth. Heat until thickened and bubbly. Stir in seasonings.

To serve, layer rice, sauce, beef mixture, oranges, peanuts, and chow mein noodles as desired in serving bowls.

p.s. I got my camera back! Yay!!