1949 Spanish Rice

When life was simpler and few people traveled beyond their own community, the use of a single ingredient could imply an "exotic" flare. If a dish had pineapple in it, it would be called "Hawaiian"; if it had a green pepper added, then it was "Spanish" or "Mexican". This dish comes from those simpler, less global village times. It's from a 1949 Better Homes and Gardens cookbook and was my all time favourite dish when I was growing up on the farm. I even requested it as my Birthday Meal, that's how much I loved it! Very basic comfort food, not meant to compete with today's hotter foods or a gourmet palate. This recipe is now officially 60 years old and just as comforting and filling as it was when I was a child. And lastly, 60 years ago, this type of meal was called "Dining-in-a-Dish". :)

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb bacon (Regular, NOT thick cut!)
• 1  Spanish onion, chopped very fine
• 1  green pepper, chopped very fine
• 2 (15 ounce) cans  diced tomatoes, do not drain (with green pepper, celery, and onion)
• 6  cups cooked rice
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon pepper
• 8  ounces cheddar cheese (Mild-type and Shredded)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook rice; reserve in large 6 quart bowl. Cover so it does not dry out.
3. Grease a 4 quart casserole dish, set aside.
4. Fry bacon until crisp; cool and crumble into pieces the size of your thumb nail. Reserve to add back into mixture.
5. Cook onion and green pepper in reserved bacon fat; cook slowly until onion is soft and yellow. Add cans of tomatoes and heat until simmering. Cover.
6. Add crumbled bacon, salt and pepper to the reserved rice mixture, stirring well to combine.
7. Pour hot onion, pepper and tomato mixture into rice/bacon. Stir well to combine.
8. Place mixture in prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded Cheddar Cheese on top.
9. Bake for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly browned and mixture is bubbly. Remove from oven. Allow to set for 10 minutes before serving.
10. This freezes exceptionally well! Cut into portions; freeze. Heat on Medium in microwave for 3-5 minutes.