Army Man Rice

• 2 tablespoons oil or bacon grease
• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon each oregano & cumin & garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon dry onion
• Dash red pepper (optional)
• 8 oz can tomato sauce or 1 cup chopped fresh or canned tomatoes
• 2 cups water

Get out a 2-quart saucepan. Heat the oil or bacon grease in the pan, over medium heat. Add the rice and sauté it in the hot fat until it is toasty and slightly opaque. If you are using fresh onion, add it now too. When the rice is toasted, add the seasonings, tomato sauce and water. Stir it up and bring it to a boil. When it starts to boil, cover the pan with a good lid and reduce the heat to very low. Allow the rice to cook on the back of the stove for a good 20 minutes. Serve topped with cheese for a main dish, or just like it is as a side dish. This is Tom's favorite food in the entire world. Serves 4 as a side dish, or 2 as a main dish. This recipe doubles easily. Cook it in a 3-quart saucepan if you double it.

If you want to a main dish, you can add a 1/2-pound of cooked ground beef. Another option is to add a 15 oz can of kidney or pinto or black beans (1-1/2 cups cooked beans). Add either along with the tomato sauce and water. Cook as directed.