Bacon, Rice and Peas

Last night I borrowed a recipe from the blog gluten free frugal. Here's the link:
http://glutenfreefrugal.blogspot.com/2008/11/bacon-black-eyed-peas-rice.html

I wasn't able to follow the recipe to the "T", because these I rarely get to plan my meals ahead of schedule and very rarely do I have all the items in a necessary recipe. Which is something I'm seriously gonna need to change with this new upcoming year of 2012.  Dawn and I are content to eat whatever, whenever, but with 3 boys and a husband they go from happy to starving in a blink of an eye. lol.

Last night I was I getting this recipe ready, I realized that ALL of the chick peas, and black-eyed peas I had on hand were dry, they wouldn't be ready in time. (Needed it ready to served within 90 minutes, before hungry little Gordon woke up.), and that I'd have to enlarge the recipe to fit my growing family of 6 people.  This recipe as is will feed 3-4 people. So I looked around and realized that I had canned and frozen peas on hand which we hadn't had in quite a while....so I subbed with frozen peas. Verdict? YUMMY!!!! Even little Gordon couldn't wait to devour all of it. He had two servings (which is rarely in the world of toddlers), no to mention when Cyril chose to pull a "I'm not Hungry" stike, Gordon finished off Cyril's as well.  Spencer ate it without complain which is a first and Dawn, said "DO NOT CHANGE A THING" hehe.  So I think this is a quick meal, which is also a definite keeper in my book these days.  Enjoy!!!

4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (I used the whole package of bacon to feed the 6 of us)
2 cups instant rice (I used 3 cups)
1 can chicken broth (ensure GF -Swanson's is a good one to use)
1 can black-eyed peas, drained (veggie kind, not Fergie kind)(I used 1.5 cups of frozen green peas)
2 ounces shredded cheddar (Did not use because we didn't have any CF Dyia Cheese on hand)

Fry bacon until crispy, then drain. (I normally prefer to bake bacon, but what's left on the pan after draining adds flavor here. I'm sure there's a real word for that.)

Add rice and broth to pan, cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir in peas.
Cook until heated through. Season with salt & pepper, top with cheese. Serve.