Grandma's Spanish Rice

2 Cups of long grain white rice
1 can of crushed or chopped tomatoes
1 bell pepper
1 medium white or yellow onion
4 tablespoons of oil

In a large frying pan (with a tight fitting lid) or an electric skillet heat oil. Add chopped onions and bell pepper. Saute until onions are just starting to turn clear and add rice. Stirring constantly, continue to saute until rice is browned. (this is one of the best smells in the world by the way) When rice is browned (you all know the color it should be) add one can of chopped or crushed tomatos and two cans (yep same can) of water. Salt. (you are on your own on how much salt-just be sure to add it with the water). Very important-----DO NOT STIR AFTER YOU ADD THE WATER!!!!!!!! Grandma's rule!!!!! Bring to a boil then turn the heat down to a simmer. Put the lid tightly on the pan and let it cook until all of the water is cooked out and the rice is tender. THEN and ONLY then fluff with a fork.

Now for the rice story. Just a very few months ago Uncle Roger brought Grandma out to my house for Sunday lunch. I was making enchiladas, beans and Spanish rice. While I was cooking Grandma was keeping me company from the dining room. There are three steps up to my kitchen so she had to stay down in the other room but we could still talk and she could still supervise! I had heated the oil for the rice in an electric skillet. When I added the rice to the hot oil it blew up like I had thrown fire crackers in the pan!!! From the hot oil burning the back of my hand and the POP of the rice I jumped and threw rice all over my kitchen. While I was cussing and crying our dear sweet little Grandma Pearl was laughing like I hadn't seen her laugh in years! Even though she was in a wheel chair about 12 feet away and 3 feet lower than I was she saw me throw that rice everywhere! Oh how she laughed and clapped her hands at my mistake. She was still snickering when we sat down to eat and she saw the rice on her plate! That day she cleaned her entire plate! Enchiladas, beans and rice! Even though my hand was fried we had such a wonderful day! I ended up with a scar on the back of my hand that makes me smile every time I look at it now!