Italian Rice

Serves 4

A true comfort meal.  My kids love the flavors and the texture.  Great left over too!

2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 cup white rice, (not minute rice)
1 lb ground beef chuck
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped (optional)
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 ½ cups tomato sauce
½ cup water
1 tsp oregano
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a heavy non-stick skillet; add garlic and onion, rice and ground beef and cook with frequent stirring (or it will stick) until meat and rice are brown and onion and garlic is soft.  Add peppers and celery; cook until slightly soft about 4 minutes. Add tomato sauce and water.  Stir frequently and cook until rice is done and vegetables are very soft, about 20 minutes.  Add seasonings and serve.

Wine Pairing:

This dish is soft and almost creamy when it is finished.  I like to serve it with a light wine such as Chianti or a little Sangiovese.  A valpolicella works nicely with this too.

DaVinci Chianti
DiMajo Sangiovese
Carpinetto Dogyolo
Allegrini Valpolicella