Simple Red Rice With/Without Meat

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 cup chopped white onion
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chopped basil
• 1 teaspoon salt or salt substitute
• 1 (15 ounce) can zucchini with Italian-style tomato sauce
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 4-5 cups cooked white rice
• 1-2 cup cooked cubed pork (optional) or beef (optional) or venison (optional) or elk meat (optional) or buffalo (optional)
• Pam cooking spray
• aluminum foil

Directions

1. 1

   In small mixing bowl, add the first seven ingredients.

2. 2

   In a large mixing bowl pour the zucchini and sauce. Chop the zucchini in one inch pices.

3. 3

   Add the tomato sauce, rice and meat, if desired.

4. 4

   Mix gently.

5. 5

   With a rubber spatula pour out the onion and spice mixture and mix in slowly so it is absorbed throughout the dish.

6. 6

   Preheat oven to 375*.

7. 7

   Spray Pam in a glass flat pyrex dish.

8. 8

   Spread the rice evenly.

9. 9

   Cover with foil.

10. 10

    Bake 40-45 minutes.

11. 11

    Note: If chilled before baking, bake another 15 minutes.