5 Spice Beef 'n' Rice

This recipe came from Pearl Johnson

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef
• 3⁄4 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1⁄8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1  small bay leaf
• 16  ounces tomatoes or 16  ounces tomato sauce
• 16 3⁄4 ounces  mushroom soup
• 2 -3  slices cheese, cut into 1/2 strips
• 1  cup  instant rice
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  dash pepper
• 1⁄8 teaspoon thyme
• 1⁄8 teaspoon oregano
•  olive, to taste

Directions

1. Brown meat in the oil, add onion and cook till tender. Stir in seasonings, soup, tomatoes and rice. Bring to a boil; simmer for 5 min.; criss cross the cheese on top. Cover to heat and melt cheese, garnish with olives.
2. Note: you could spoon into 1 ½ quart baking dish place in the oven and bake to melt the cheese.