=========================================================================== BBS: The GWE BBS [ASV] [CIN] Date: 12-08-21 (21 19) Number: 72 From: MARGARET HOBBIE #29 @9443 Refer#: NONE To: ALL Recvd: YES Subj: Spainish Rice Conf: (37) Home Cooki --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spanish Rice My grandmother used to make something called Spanish Rice that was actually more like Creole cooking. We *always* served it with ham for holiday meals and it's wonderfully satisfying. Grapefruit sections and avocado slices on lettuce leaves with Italian dressing make a good accompaniment. 4 cups cooked rice (see package directions or cheat and use Minute Rice) 6 strips bacon 1 medium onion, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 small green pepper, seeded and chopped (optional) 1 clove garlic, minced 1 #2 can of tomatoes, chopped (reserve juice) Tobasco to taste Salt to taste Cook the bacon in a skillet until it is crisp and set aside on paper towels. Saute the onion, celery, green pepper and garlic in the bacon drippings until onion is translucent and vegetables are crisp-tender. Drain off the bacon grease. Add the tomatoes and their liquid, then the rice. Throw in a dash or two of Tobasco. Crumble the bacon and add it to the rice mixture. Heat through and serve hot. This has a lot more tomato flavor and is much spicier than the Spanish rice you might find in a restaurant. It's also quite festive in appearance. Note: leftover Spanish Rice freezes well. Add a little tomato juice or V8 and nuke it when you find it in the freezer when you want something different to go with a plain meat dish. Not bad with turkey, either.