Lone Star Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef 

¼ cup bacon grease 

1 ½ cups chopped onion 

½ cup chopped green pepper 

1 clove garlic, minced 

1 tsp chili powder  

1 tsp salt  

1 can kidney beans 15 oz, undrained  

1 can tomatoes 16 oz, undrained 

3/4 cup uncooked rice 

2/3 cup grated cheddar cheese 

1/2 cup chopped black olives 

Instructions:

1. Brown beef in bacon grease. Add onion, pepper, garlic, chili powder, and salt.

2. Cook 5 minutes, remove from heat and add kidney beans, tomatoes, and uncooked rice. Mix well, pour into a casserole.

3. Sprinkle top with cheese and olives. Bake, covered, 1 hour at 350 degrees or until rice is done.

Yield: Serves 8.

—Susan and Jim Kessler