WILD MUSHROOM and TOMATO RICE

This makes a great sidedish for fish, poultry, beef or pork.

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
2 oz. crimini mushrooms, chopped
2 oz. portabella mushrooms, chopped
3 tomatoes finely diced, I like Roma tomatoes for this dish
1/2 cup red table wine
1 cup uncooked rice, brown or white
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4-1/2 tsp. black pepper

Directions

Place mushrooms, onion and green pepper in non-stick skillet. Saute over medium high heat with 1 or 2 tsp. of water until onion is soft and transulcent.

Add spices and rice and stir well for 1 minute.

Add tomatoes and wine and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, cover and cook for 30 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is aborbed.

Variations:

Italiano Rice:

Substitute 4 oz. white mushrooms for the crimini and portabella. Add 1/2 tsp. basil, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp. marjoram.

Southwestern Rice:

Substitute 4 oz. white mushrooms for crimini and portabella. Add 2 seeded and chopped jalapeno peppers, 2 tbsp. chili powder, 1/2 tsp. cumin and 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper.

This sounds delish. I love all the veggies. I have been in such a cooking funk since the kids all left. We eat so simply now that it's boring. Reading the recipes here, and in Southern Living is moving me to try new recipes for two.

Here's one I want to try on the weekend for a football game and a crowd:

Feta Cheese Squares

2 cups all-purpose baking mix
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
16 ounces of Feta cheese wiwth garlic and herbs, crumbles
8 ounces of small curd cottage cheese
3 large eggs, lightly beated

Preheat oven to 350
Stir baking mix, baking powder, and salt in small bowl.

Add milk and remaining ingredients, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon cheese mixture into lightly greased 15 x 10 jelly roll pan

Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and set.

Cool after baking, then cut into squares and serve immediately.

YUM. We're cheese lovers and I can't wait to try this one.

Sunday I watched the Pillsbury Bake Off and four recipes won $5,000. each and the grand prize selected won one million bucks and it was, of all things, peanut butter cookies... I am thinking of entering next year.