Charleston Red Rice

"Red Rice is a classic Lowcountry side dish that's made by cooking long grain white rice in in the oven with bacon, onion, garlic and tomato paste. The end result is tender, fluffy rice with rich tomato flavor, a touch of sweetness and a hint of smokiness. Charleston Red Rice was first brought to the American South by enslaved Africans, and has been perfected by the Gullah Geechee people for generations. Serve this simple red rice recipe with any of your favorite Southern meals, such as chicken and gravy, fried catfish or pulled pork. This red rice recipe comes from a vintage Charleston cookbook that my great Aunt Bee gave me from her own collection. Aunt Bee is now 101 years old -- so she's not doing too much cooking at this point -- but she has shared many of her favorite recipes with me over the years. The cookbook was published in 1950 by the Junior League of Charleston, and it's a wealth of ideas! "

Preparation Time10 min

Cooking Time1 hr 10 min

Cooking MethodOven, Skillet

Cooking Vessel Size2 quart baking dish