Charleston Red Rice

Charleston Red Rice

Charleston Red Rice, also known as "Savannah Red Rice" is a rice dish commonly found along the Southeastern coast of the United States.

It was developed by the Geechie/Gullah, who reside in the region. It is relatively simple and usually consists of plain white rice boiled with crushed tomatoes, hot sauce, and small bits of smoked pork sausage.

Ingredients:

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

2 medium onions, diced fine

1 bell pepper, diced fine

2 teaspoons salt

2 -3 teaspoons granulated sugar

1 lb bacon, fried and grease held aside

1 lb smoked beef sausage

3 cups water

2 cups raw long grain rice

2 tablespoons black pepper

Fry bacon and remove from the pan Saute'onions and peppers in the bacon grease Add tomato paste water salt sugar and pepper. Cook uncovered slowly about 5 minutes and then add the rice another 5 minutes until mixture is bubbly then pour into the top section of a rice steamer or you can use a very large Pyrex dish. Pour mixture in and add the sausage and crumble up the bacon and mix into the rice mixture. Cover and bake for 35- 45 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 degrees or steam in steamer. I bake it now days but the family recipe says to steam it.