EASY CHEESY CASSEROLE #2

EASY CHEESY CASSEROLE #2

Ingredients:
(Makes 3-4 entree portions)

3 zucchinis, diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 eggplant, sliced into 1/2 inch thick slices
1/2 red onion, sliced
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 package Trader Joe's frozen organic brown rice
black pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
garlic powder, to taste
oregano, to taste (approx. 1/2 tsp.)
thyme, to taste (approx. 1/2 tsp.)
basil, to taste (approx. 1/2 tsp.)
crushed garlic, to taste (approx. 1/2 tsp. jarred crushed garlic)
Worcestshire Sauce, to taste (approx. 1 tsp.)
juice of 1/2 lemon (or 1 tsp. bottled lemon juice)
paprika, to taste (approx. 1/2 tsp.)
several tablespoons of olive oil
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 container ricotta cheese

Directions:

1. Snip corner of rice bag, nuke for 3 minutes, and set aside.
2. Cover eggplant slices with salt and set aside for 10 minutes.
3. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add crushed garlic. Add bell pepper and zucchini, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes.
4. Rinse eggplant and chop into small cubes. Add to pan and continue cooking for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Add onion and tomato to pan and continue cooking for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
6. Sprinkle with pepper, paprika, salt, Worcestshire Sauce, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, garlic powder and basil. Stir well and continue cooking until eggplant is soft and some liquid has dissipated.
7. Combine in a bowl rice, ricotta cheese, and a bit more black pepper, salt, and garlic powder,
8. Add veggie mix to rice mixture and mix very well. Transfer to a large casserole dish.
9. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over casserole. Cover with foil and put in oven on 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle more parmesan cheese over casserole, and return to oven for 20 minutes more, until parmesan is slightly browned.

Notes:

*Leave out Worcestshire Sauce, or use vegetarian version, to make it a vegetarian dish.
*Kids can help by stirring rice and cheese mixture.
*Serve with a simple side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.