Mild-Mannered Spanish Rice

This is my Mom's recipe. I prefer to omit the bacon and use olive oil in its place. Additional spices, like cumin or cayenne, may be added for more heat, but I like this particular recipe because it is so tasty on its own and it can cool down or balance out any spicy foods that it may be accompanying.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 3  slices bacon or 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  cup long-grain white rice
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped onion
• 3  cups  V8 vegetable juice
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped green bell pepper

Directions

1. Fry the bacon until crisp, remove the bacon from the pan and crumble.
2. Saute the rice and onion in the drippings/olive oil until the onion is soft, stirring constantly.
3. Add the V8 juice and green pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 25 minutes or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
5. Fluff with a fork and garnish with the crumbled bacon.