Red Rice

A Southern style rice

A Southern style rice recipe, similar to a Spanish rice, made with tomatoes, peppers, onion, rice, bacon, and other ingredients.  This side dish is served as an accompaniment to everything from fried chicken to short ribs.

Red Rice

Serves 6 to 8

4 to 6 slices bacon, about 4 oz
1 medium onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
2 cups uncooked rice
2 (14.5 oz each) cans tomatoes, pureéd
2 tsp salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp pepper
1 scant tsp sugar
3 or 4 drops Tabasco, or to taste

In a large heavy skillet, fry bacon until crisp; remove from pan to paper towels. Drain well then crumble and set aside. Sauté onions, celery, and green pepper in the bacon grease until tender. Add rice, tomatoes, crumbled bacon, and seasonings. Cook on top of the stove for 10 minutes. Pour into a large buttered baking dish; cover tightly and bake at 350° for 1 hour, or until rice is tender.