Green Tomato Rice

This traditional rice dish from the Southern US would be lovely with pork. INGREDIENTS 4 slices bacon, diced 6 spring onions, sliced, with most of the green

part of the stalks 5 medium green tomatoes, peeled and chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 2 cups chicken stock 1 cup long-grain rice salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste a dash of Tabasco sauce, optional ¼ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese, optional METHOD In a medium saucepan, sauté the bacon over medium heat until crisp and then drain it on paper towels. Sauté the spring onions for 1 minute in the bacon fat. Add the green tomatoes and sauté for 1 minute longer. Add garlic and jalapeno pepper; and sauté for another 30 seconds. Add the chicken stock, rice, pepper, and Tabasco sauce. Bring to a boil. Stir and reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in the Parmesan cheese just before serving, if desired. Sprinkle with the cooked bacon.