Recipe: Hearty Rice Skillet

This is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes so far! It falls under the categories of tasty, easy, inexpensive, quick, and healthy. Perfect combination!

My choices and modifications are below the recipe- enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 15-ounce can black, garbanzo, or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  
• 1 14-1/2-ounce can stewed tomatoes, cut up
• 2 cups loose-pack frozen mixed vegetables
• 3/4 cup quick-cooking brown rice, uncooked
  
• 1 cup water (only use 3/4 c. water if you are using instant brown rice)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or dillweed, crushed
  
• Several dashes bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)
  
• 1 10-3/4 ounce can condensed tomato soup
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
  

Directions:

In a large skillet stir together beans, undrained tomatoes, vegetables, water, uncooked rice, thyme or dillweed, and, if desired, hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 12 to 14 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in soup; heat through.

Before serving, stir in almonds and sprinkle with cheese. Makes 4 servings.

Purple's Modifications: I personally do not prefer black beans, even though I know they're healthy. I used kidney beans because I love them, and they worked well! While I'm usually opposed to frozen vegetables, they actually worked alright in this recipe, although next time I'll try fresh ones and it will probably be better. :) Instant brown rice worked for me, even though I forgot to decrease the amount of water- it didn't matter. I left out all the spices (dill, thyme, hot pepper) and the combination of the tomato soup and veggies still left it with plenty of flavor! Finally, sprinkling with a bit of cheddar is a must!!

Nutritional Info:

Nutritional facts per serving (from bhg.com)
calories: 369, total fat: 11g, saturated fat: 2g, cholesterol: 8mg, sodium: 972mg, carbohydrate: 57g, fiber: 1g, protein: 19g, vitamin C: 81%, calcium: 21%, iron: 23%

Recipe and Photo Source: Better Homes & Gardens Vegetarian