End of Summer Recipes

Rice, Tomato, and Broccoli Casserole

3 cups of cooked broccoli florets

1 cup of cooked rice, brown or white

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup mild, shredded cheese

1/2 teaspoon dried crushed rosemary

1 cup of undiluted tomato soup

2 fresh tomatoes, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat a deep dish 10-inch pie plate with cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine broccoli, rice, Parmesan cheese, rosemary and the soup. Stir to blend, spoon into pie plate. Arrange tomato slices on top. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and bake for about 20 minutes. Let cool a few minutes before serving. Serves 4

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Hot Lunch to Go

Split a cooked, baked potato. Add chopped baby spinach, shredded chicken and ranch dressing. Wrap in plastic wrap and microwave at lunch time for about 3 minutes.

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Fiesta Bowl

1/4 cup black beans, 1/4 cup rice, 1/4 cup salsa, shredded cheese, tortilla chips. Combine salsa, beans, rice and cheese in a microwavable bowl. Microwave for about 3 minutes. Serve with the chips.

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Quick and Easy One Dish Meal

1 cup of cooked rice

1 cup of cooked black beans or dark red kidney beans

1/2 cup salsa

1/2 pound of tilapia fillets

Combine the beans, rice and salsa. Spread out evenly in a 8 inch square pan Place the tilapia fillets on top. Cover with foil and bake in a pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.

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Cucumber Lime Mint Agua Fresca

2 large cucumbers, washed and chopped

1/3 cup fresh lime juice

1/2 cup chopped, fresh mint

1/3 cup sugar

1  & 1/2 cups of water

Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Taste and add more lime juice or sugar if needed. Strain the mixture into glasses and serve over ice with fresh lime slices.

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Stocking the Herb Cabinet

Make simple meals more appealing by spicing them up. Have a variety of herbs and spices on hand in an array of little jars, envelopes or tins.

Suggestions: Allspice, Caraway seeds, Ground and whole cardamom, Cayenne pepper, Celery seeds, ground or whole, Chervil, Ground Saigon cinnamon, and whole cinnamon sticks, Ground and whole cloves;

Ground coriander, Ground cumin, Whole leaf dill and seeds, Ground ginger and crystallized ginger, Marjoram, Dried mustard, Nutmeg, Oregano, Sweet and smoked paprika, Whole black peppercorns, White ground pepper, Crushed red pepper, Poppy seeds, Dried rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Sea salt, Sesame seeds, Tarragon, Thyme, Turmeric.

Blessed Be, Sweet Ones

~ Meadow Walker

Image courtesy of http://www.joyandfeast.com/