Diary of a Kentucky Cook

Don't forget what is truly important, the simple and basic things in Life. Honesty, Pure Emotions, Gardening, Cooking, the Joy of Creating and sharing Recipes and to be blessed by the majestic beauty of Nature. Once you find out what makes you happy, try to do THAT for a living.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

DRESSING UP BOXED RICE & STUFFING MIXES

Whenever I find a dressing or rice box mix that
is on sale or inexpensive enough, I buy several
and then 'dress them up'.
I like to switch around and have
different sides with our daily main meal.


For example;
When using a box stuffing mix
( .75 ยข at the $ store )
I will fix it as directed;
After combining the dry and liquid ingredients,
I'll add extra sage and crumbled cornbread or bread.
Place in a lightly casserole dish and crunch up some
home made croutons on top of the mixture,
Bake for a just few minutes to heat up
and brown the top crust.
I do this with many 'store bought' mixes.


Here are some of my Rice ideas:

I have tried many different variations
mixing and matching boxed rices.
Here are the flavors I have experimented with:
Chicken
Beef
Oriental
Wild Rice

You can also add additional seasonings
to any of the rice mixtures.
Here are a few examples:
-teriyaki
-ground red pepper
-ceyanne pepper
-garlic
-garlic & herb seasoning


1) Chicken rice:
Boxed frozen Breaded chicken nuggets.
Bake as directed, slice in half.
With 10 minutes cooking time left for the rice,
add the cooked nuggets to the
rice mixture.
voila ! Chicken and rice.
You can also add additional seasonings
to the rice mixture or serve with a
dollup sweet and sour sauce on top.

2) Oriental rice:
Cube inexpensive boneless pork,
place in a baggie with teriyaki sauce,overnight.
When ready to cook;
Fry up the pork pieces until tender.
Set aside.
Fix the rice in the skillet, with about
10 minutes left: add the cooked pork back into
the skillet, add several more splashes of teriyaki.
Let simmer.
Now you have Teriyaki Pork and Rice.
I have also made this with inexpensive
beef stew meat for great Teriyaki Beef and Rice.

3) Oriental rice
Serve with cooked breaded shrimp
the possibilities are endless...

Menu:

Side salad
Skillet Rice w/ teriyaki pork
Brown & serve rolls w/ butter
cherry Pepsi
ice cream







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