Recipe: Broccoli Rice Hot Dish
I made a new recipe this past weekend from one of Taste of Home’s “Guilt Free Cooking” Cookbooks and the entire family loved it. I received thumbs up from everyone, several please make this again, and the kids even asked for seconds. What was leftover of the casserole was eaten the next day so it didn’t go to waste either. The best part is it was a “healthier” dish and was easy to make. I am not a huge egg person so I had a little hesitation in trying it because I didn’t want something that had a heavy egg flavor. In the end I was super happy I tried it because I couldn’t even taste the eggs because it had so much flavor in the dish. As I am trying to eat healthier and cook better food for my family (not that we don’t have a couple of pizza nights a month) I am looking for new, easy, inexpensive and tasty recipes to try. I bought this cookbook when it was on clearance for $2.50 before Christmas and this weekend as I was sitting on the front porch glider leafing through it while watching the kids play in the yard this recipe jump off the page begging for me to try it out, glad I did too. It was a hit with the family and it included ingredients that I can easily have on hand. I used it as our main meal but since it is meatless you could have it as a side as well.
Broccoli Rice Hot Dish
- 2 cups hot cooked Rice
- 3/4 cup shredded reduced fat Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 cup Egg Substitute OR (1 egg)
- 3/4 teaspoon Garlic Salt
Filling
- 1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped Broccoli, thawed
- 4 oz chopped fresh Mushrooms
- 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper (we choose to not add the red pepper)
- 1/2 medium Onion, chopped
- 1 cup Egg Substitute OR (2 Eggs)
- 1/2 cup Fat Free Milk
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 cup (4 oz) shredded reduced fat Cheddar Cheese
In a large bowl, combine the rice, cheese, egg, and garlic salt. Press firmly into a 2 quart baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the broccoli, mushrooms, red pepper, onion in a steamer basket over 1 inch of boiling water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and steam for 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.
In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, onion salt, and pepper; stir in vegetables. Pour over crust. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375 for 25 to 30 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
Do you have easy, inexpensive and tasty recipes to try? Send me an email and I may post it on my blog or put a link to your blog in your comment. As a family of 4 with a busy schedule having a stash of great healthy recipes on hand is very beneficial!
Photo by Taste of Home
Recipe: Berry Shortbread Dreams
I made these after our Christmas Baking Day for another event. They are a super delicious treat for those looking for a fruity shortbread cookie to share this Holiday season. I got this recipe originally from 2002 Taste of Home Annual Recipes and have done it several times with different flavors of jams, all of the ones I have tried have been awesome. Chose a flavor that you enjoy for this recipe, we picked raspberry because it is one of our favorites.
Berry Shortbread Dreams
- 1 cup Butter, softened
- 2/3 cup Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup Seedless Raspberry Jam
1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in extract; gradually add flour until dough forms a ball. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
2. Preheat oven to 350° F.
3. Roll into 1 inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Using the end of a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in the center. Fill the center with jam.
4. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove and cool on wire racks. Spoon additional jam into the cookies if you want.
GLAZE
- 1 cup Confectioner’s Sugar
- 2 to 3 teaspoons of Water
- 1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
Mix ingredients and drizzle over cookies slightly cooled cookies. This recipe makes about 40 cookies.
Photo by Taste of Home
Thanksgiving Recipe: Mandarin Avocado Tossed Salad
We all have a recipe for the Green Bean Casserole and other family favorites. I am going to share a Salad Recipe for a side dish at Thanksgiving dinner. We adopted this recipe several years ago thanks to Taste of Home! It has a mix of colors, shapes and textures that the everyone enjoys. The whole family, including the kids, love this delicious salad. Sometimes with add in halved grapes for an extra touch to the salad.
Mandarin Avocado Tossed Salad:
- 1/2 cup Sunflower Kernels
- 1/2 cup slivered Almonds
- 2 tablespoons Butter or Margarine
- 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 tablespoons Cider or Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 2 teaspoons Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground Mustard
- 1 Garlic Clove, minced
- 4 cups torn Leaf Lettuce
- 1 can (11 ounces) Mandarin Oranges, drained
- 1 ripe Avocado, peeled & cubed
- 1 to 2 Green Onions, chopped
Directions: in a small skillet, saute sunflower kernels and almonds in butter. Cool. Meanwhile, in a jar with tight-fitting lid, combine the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, mustard and garlic; shake well. In a large salad bowl, toss the lettuce, oranges, avocado, onions and sunflower kernel mixture. Drizzle with dressing. Serve immediately. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
We usually prep everything the night before and add the dressing when you are ready to serve. A wonderfully refreshing salad for any meal.