So much rice, so little time!

I love rice. I love all kinds of rice too. I used to boil rice or make it in my rice maker, but NO MORE! Instant or semi-instant rice is a boon and a gift to rice lovers everywhere. As you can see, there are tons of options and rice is just as easy as a potato to use in sooo many different ways. This is NOT “rice cheating.”

I serve rice with anything too. Not just the traditional fish or shrimp or Chinese dishes, but as rice salad, a soup additive, or a main dish dressed up with some vegetarian chicken, onions, and mushrooms.

Spanish rice is an easy no brainer. Just make your rice and saute with your favorite salsa. I use Newman’s Own Mango Salsa. Add some warm tortillas, and what a dinner! If you are not a vegetarian, add some ground beef or Morning Star Farm Ground Beef Crumbles if you are.

Try different flavor ideas too. Curry, soy sauce, vegetables, and yes, even making your pasta salad recipe using rice instead of pasta!! Let me know how you like this, and I will also be sharing more recipes. Enjoy!

Yes of all of the possibly hundreds of uses for tortillas, here are some more. This is one or those wrap, roll and slice ideas and I use it all of the time.

Spread room temp. cream cheese on a tortilla and lay thinly sliced ham to completely cover the tortilla. Sprinkle with fine grated swiss cheese. Roll up the tortilla very tightly tucking in edges as you go to make a neat roll. Wrap in plastic wrap and roll to make a tight package. Chill for several hours but not too long as the tortilla may dry. Remove from the fridge and slice into small rounds cleaning the knife every so often. These are yummy and can be served fancy on a plate with parsley or just put out on a paper plate at game time. This is also one of those recipes that can be done many different ways.

1. Spread tortilla with butter and add scrambled eggs and shredded cheese. Follow the same procedure.
2. Spread the tortilla with pot cheese and sprinkle with pineapple tidbits.
3. For the kids, how about peanut butter and jelly spread and then sliced. This is a sure fire as they kiddos can help with the process.
4. Use your imagination!

Chocolate Temptation Cookies are very aptly named. Almost no one can resist them, myself included. I have adapted this recipe from one in the “In the Kitchen With Martha and Mary” cookbook. Hope you love it!

1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter 1 1/2 cups flour (May use whole wheat)

1/2 cup marg. Miniature peanut butter cups

1/2 cup brown sugar Mini chocolate chips if you are really

1 egg feeling decadent.

1/2 cup regular sugar

1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

Cream together all ingredients down to the baking soda and flour. Add both and form into round balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet or in mini muffin cups. Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes. Just after you remove from the oven, push a little peanut butter cup down into each little cookie. Cool before removing . Enjoy!!

PS Add 1/2 a bag of mini chocolate chips if you dare!!