Mardi Gras Rice Salad

• 1 13 cups water
• 23 cup uncooked rice
• 8 slices bacon
• 12 cup ham, cubed
• 12 cup bell pepper, chopped
• 12 cup celery, chopped
• 14 cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup fresh tomato, chopped
• 12 cup Italian salad dressing
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 14 teaspoon chili powder
• 14 teaspoon salt
• 1 minced garlic clove

1. Prepare the rice in a medium saucepan, by bringing the water to a boil.
2. Stir in rice.
3. Cover and reduce heat.
4. Simmer 20 minutes.
5. After the rice is done and cooled, in a large bowl combine cooked rice with with ham, bacon, celery, tomato, onion, and bell pepper.
6. Toss well.
7. In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whiskin together salad dressing, thyme, chili powder, salt, and garlic.
8. Pour over salad and toss to coat.
9. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
10. Add crumbled bacon immediately prior to serving.

water, rice, bacon, ham, bell pepper, celery, onion, fresh tomato, italian salad dressing, thyme, chili powder, salt, garlic

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/mardi-gras-rice-salad-284310 (may not work)