| If you are looking for a little "comfort food", a new | | | | Stir in the chicken, rice, cheese, chilies, olives, and garlic |
| recipe for your dinner table, or an economical meal, | | | | salt. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking |
| here are a couple of recipes for you! These casserole | | | | spray. Transfer mixture into prepared dish. Bake, |
| recipes will remind you of those delicious hot meals | | | | uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly, at 350 |
| from grandma's or mom's oven. | | | | degrees. Remove from oven and just before serving, |
| For most of us, that is "comfort" enough. Colorful | | | | sprinkle top with corn chips, lettuce and tomatoes in |
| Chicken Rice Casserole is a type of Tex-Mex food | | | | that order. |
| which means a great blending of flavors. Chicken and | | | | Yield 6 to 8 servings. |
| Ham Casserole also makes use of rice and blends the | | | | Note: I adapted the above recipe from one I found in |
| flavors of two meats. Both will no doubt be big hits | | | | an old Taste of Home's Quick Cooking magazine. |
| with your family. | | | | CHICKEN AND HAM CASSEROLE |
| COLORFUL CHICKEN RICE CASSEROLE | | | | 1 pkg (6 oz) long grain and wild rice mix |
| 1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom | | | | 2 cups cubed cooked chicken |
| soup, undiluted | | | | 1 cup cubed fully cooked ham |
| 1 cup sour cream | | | | 1 can (10 3/4 oz) low-sodium cream of chicken soup, |
| 1/2 cup small-curd cottage cheese | | | | undiluted |
| 1 pkg (3 oz) low-fat cream cheese, cubed | | | | 1 can (12 oz) evaporated skim milk |
| 3 cups cubed cooked chicken | | | | 1 cup shredded Colby or Cheddar cheese |
| 3 cups cooked brown rice | | | | 1/8 tsp pepper |
| 1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese | | | | 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese |
| 1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies | | | | Cook rice mix according to package directions. |
| 1 can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained | | | | Transfer to a greased 2-quart baking dish. Top with |
| 1/8 tsp garlic powder | | | | chicken and ham. In a bowl, combine the soup, milk, |
| 1/2 to 3/4 cup crushed corn chips | | | | cheese, and pepper; pour over chicken mixture. |
| 2 cups shredded lettuce | | | | Sprinkle with the Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, at 350 |
| 2 medium tomatoes, chopped | | | | degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly. |
| In a blender or food processor, combine the soup, sour | | | | Serves 6 |
| cream, cottage cheese, and cream cheese; cover and | | | | Enjoy! |
| process until smooth. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. | | | | |