I remember when I was growing up, we ate home cooked meals all the time. Going out, I know we did go out, but it doesn’t seem to be nearly as often as families seem to go out today. There were staple meals, like spaghetti and meat sauce, meatloaf, of course chicken on Fridays. There was also grilled cheese and tomato soup, and KD and fish sticks (yes, together in one meal).

My mother is a good cook. She isn’t as adventurous as I am and doesn’t like as much ‘prep’ work as I am prepared to do for dishes or a meal, but her food was always tasty, and plentiful. It still is. I can cook many great meals, but I can’t beat her brisket. She is the winner, hands down.

One dish she frequently made for us seemed to have everything in one place – there was ground beef, rice, tomatoes and veggies. This easy one pot meal is called Spanish Beef Rice.

I am not sure if the folks in Spain make this dish, or what they would call it, but as per my Jewish Cookbook Bible (Second Helpings) says, this is the name of this dish/meal.

It really could not be any easier. It is 10 minutes prep, 30 minutes to cook (in one pot) and you are done.

Here is the recipe:

1lb.  ground meat ( Could be beef, chicken, turkey)

3 tbsp. oil

2 medium onions diced (I usually use 1)

1 green pepper diced

2 stalks celery

20 oz. tin tomatoes (Diced or whole, seasoned or not)

1 tbsp. salt (way too much)

¼ tsp. pepper

1 c. raw rice (I used brown)

Method:

Brown meat in hot oil. Add remaining ingredients and cover tightly. Simmer for ½ hour, stirring occasionally. Serves six.

Note: make sure you simmer on low, because if it overcooks, it sticks to the bottom (from personal experience).

Once it the rice is cooked all the way, the liquid is all gone, it is ready to serve.