Spanish Rice

I'm glad I learned a new way of cooking rice. With this recipe you can mke a dish with both rice and vegetables. Easy to make and healthy to eat. It looks like fried rice, but tastes different, of course delicious :)

4 slices bacon, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp cilantro (if desired)

    In a medium saucepan stir together rice, oil and 1/2 tsp salt. Add 2 cups water. Bring to boiling, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes ot until rice is tender.
    Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook bacon until crips. Remove from skillet, drain on paper towels. Leave 1 tbsp bacon drippings in the skillet, remove the rest. Add onion, green pepper and garlic, cook over medium heat until tender. Add undrained tomatoes, black pepper. Bring to boiling, reduce heat, simmer, covered.
    Add cooked rice, cooked bacon to skillet. Top with cheese. Cover, let stand 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Sprinkle with cilantro if desired.