New Orleans Rice Salad

3 cups cooked rice - brown, white, wild, or a mixture
9 ounces (about 1-1/2 cups loosely packed) cooked tiny or salad size shrimp
3/4 cup diced ham
9 slices bacon, crisply cooked, drained and crumbled
1/2 a green or red bell pepper, chopped
3/4 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup chopped onion
1-1/2 cups chopped fresh tomato
1-1/4 cups bottled Italian salad dressing
1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
1/2-1 teaspoon chili powder
1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons minced garlic
2-4 dashes Tabasco sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)

In a large bowl, combine the rice, shrimp, ham, bacon, bell pepper, celery, onion, and chopped tomato.

Combine the remaining ingredients, whisking to mix well. Pour over the rice mixture, mix well and chill.

Makes 6 main dish servings