Main-Dish Rice

Start with this Southern staple, and your dinnertime dilemma is solved.

Quick-cooking bags or pouches of rice just might become your new best friends. They cook in no time and can easily evolve into hearty main dishes with just a few additions. We've included a group of recipes that are sure to please, and with all the choices out there, you'll have main-dish rice options galore. -KATE NICHOLSON

Skillet Sausage 'n' Rice

MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS

PREP: 10 MIN., COOK: 20 MIN.

1 (16-oz.) package smoked sausage

1 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup chicken broth

2 (3.5-oz.) bags quick-cooking brown rice

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

Garnish: chopped fresh parsley

1. Cut sausage into ½-inch slices. Sauté in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove sausage slices, and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 Tbsp. drippings in skillet.

2. Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic to skillet, and sauté over mediumhigh heat 4 minutes or until tender. Add chicken broth, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet, and bring to a boil. Remove rice from cooking bag; add rice, sausage, salt, and pepper to skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook 5 minutes or until rice is tender. Garnish, if desired.

Speedy Black Beans and Mexican Rice

MAKES 2 SERVINGS

PREP: 5 MIN., COOK: 2 MIN.

This hearty dish is the perfect answer for a meatless main-dish choice and doubles perfectly.

1 (8.8-oz.) pouch ready-to-serve Mexican rice

1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (4.4-oz.) can chopped green chiles

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Toppings: sour cream, salsa, diced tomato, shredded Cheddar cheese

1. Cook rice according to package directions.

2. Combine black beans and green chiles in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 90 seconds. Stir in rice and cilantro. Serve immediately with desired toppings.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Rice-A-Roni Express Heat & Serve Mexican Rice.

Mexican Beef 'n' Rice: Substitute 1 Ib. cooked lean ground beef for black beans. Substitute 1 cup salsa for green chiles. Prepare recipe as directed omitting toppings. Serve with corn chips or in lettuce leaves, if desired. Makes 4 servings.

Dinner in Less Than 10 Minutes

Even on your busiest days, you'll have time to whip up these hearty entrées.

Asian Chicken and Fried Rice

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

PREP: 5 MIN., COOK: 2 MIN.

1. Cook 1 (8.8-oz.) pouch ready-to-serve Asian fried rice according to package directions. Stir together cooked rice, 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil, and 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Rice-A-Roni Express Heat & Serve Asian Fried Rice.

Turkey and Rice With Veggies J

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

PREP: 5 MIN., COOK: 2 MIN.

1. Cook 1 (8.8-oz.) pouch ready-to-1 serve garden vegetable rice according to package directions. Stir together cooked rice; 1 Ib. lean ground turkey, cooked; and 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, drained.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Uncle Ben's Garden Vegetable Ready Rice With Peas, Carrots, and Corn.

Skillet Sausage 'n' Rice is full of flavor and is on the table in 30 minutes.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Sep 2006
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