Dirty Rice King Cake

Ingredients:

• ½ lb. ground sausage
• ½ lb. ground beef
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
• ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 tbsp. minced fresh garlic
• 1 tsp. garlic salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp. dried thyme
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 cups cooked 4Sisters white rice
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack or Monterey jack cheese
• 2 cans original refrigerated crescent rolls

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Brown the meat with the onion, peppers, garlic, seasonings, and sugar.  Drain any excess grease.
3. Stir in the cooked rice and cheese.
4. On a round baking stone, arrange crescent rolls triangles in a circle with pointed ends slightly hanging over the edge.
5. Scoop meat and rice mixture evenly around the dough.  Wrap points over the filling, tucking under the center.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until browned.
7. Drizzle with toppings and bacon, if desired.
Optional Toppings: Drizzle with melted pepper jelly, hot honey, or maple syrup; top with bacon crumbles