Cuban Rice

2 Tbsp olive oil 1 large clove garlic, minced ¼ cup chopped onion ¼ cup chopped green pepper ½ cup tomato sauce 2 Tbsp dry sherry 2 Tbsp chopped pimentos 1 small bay leaf 1 cup white rice 2 cups water ½ tsp salt 2 saffron threads crushed freshly ground black pepper to taste In a medium saucepan over low heat, heat the oil until fragrant; add onion, garlic and green pepper and cook until tender (5-6 minutes). Add tomato sauce, sherry, pimentos and bay leaf & cook on low 7-8 minutes. Raise the heat to high and add rice, water, salt & saffron. Cook rice uncovered, over medium high heat until all water is absorbed (10-15 minutes). Remove from heat, cover and let stand 5-10 minutes until rice is dry and fluffy.