Oven Rice

INGREDIENTS

• 1 KG OF TOMATOES
• 750 G OF GROUND BEEF (KNUCKLE)
• 3 TABLESPOONS OF CORN OIL
• 1 ONION, DICED
• 2 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED
• 1 BAY LEAF
• 2½ TEACUPS OF WHITE RICE
• 2 TEACUPS OF COARSELY GRATED MOZZARELLA CHEESE
• ½ TEACUP OF CHOPPED GREEN OLIVES
• 3 EGGS, BEATEN
• ½ BUNCH OF PARSLEY AND SCALLIONS, CHOPPED
• 3 TEACUPS OF GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE
• SALT AND BLACK PEPPER TO TASTE

PREPARATION

Put the tomato on a pot and cook it low heat, without water, until soften. Blend it in a food processor, strain it, and set it aside. Season the meat with salt and black pepper. Braise it in 3 tablespoons of oil, until dry. Add ½ onion and 1 garlic clove; braise for a bit, until soft. Add the tomato sauce and bay leaf; cook for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the white rice: braise the remaining onion and garlic in two tablespoons of oil. Add the rice, cover it with 5 teacups of warm water and season with salt. When it is cooked through, add the ground beef sauce. Let it cool for a bit and add the mouzzarella, olives, eggs, scallions, and parsley, mixing well until even. Put it in a baking dish, cover with Parmesan cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C, until golden. Serve while still hot. The arroz de forno (baked rice) is a recipe for leftovers – that is, it is very versatile. very You could add ingredients such as corn or peas, for instance, and replace the ground beef for shredded chicken or diced pork.