Lynn's Baked Rice

My dear high school friend Kelli shared this recipe on Facebook and now I am passing it on. This is the perfect thing to make when on a week night when you are thinking "what the hell am I going to have with ....". You no longer want to stand by the stove and just need something to go with whatever entree you have prepared. It goes with everything.

The reason this recipe is called Lynn's Baked Rice instead of Kelli is because it was her Mom Lynn's recipe.  I loved Kelli's Mom, she could always make you laugh with her delivery of a sarcastic jab and she always let me hang out there. Lynn passed away far too young of cancer. The last time I saw her was when I was struggling to managed my kids aged 1 and 2 at the time, in a MacDonald's. I didn't have a lot of time to stop and talk and now I wished I had.  So Lynn lives on in my kitchen quite often on those exhausted Wednesday oh dear God I have to cook again nights.

2 cups long grain rice (white)
3 cups of water
1 can mushrooms with liquid
1 green pepper diced
1 pkg onion soup mix
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup soy sauce

Combine in a covered dutch oven and bake for 1 hour at 350.

See EASY as that.  The real key, don't mess with it. cover it set the timer and don't go back until the hour is up.

I had to take a picture from my friend Kelli to post.  It gets eaten so fast at my house that I can never seem to get any pictures.

Power of Suggestion Cheeseburger Soup

Now it has been quite awhile since I have posted a recipe.  There has been a great deal going on in my life and free time to blog was just not in the cards for me.  I have changed jobs, survived the holidays, had family come to stay, leave and come to stay again.  Everything is now back to a routine that is comfortable and I have free time to really enjoy my cooking and to share what my family tells me are their favorite meals.


I have expressed before my love for the Food Network.  It is the single most watched channel in my home.  At least when an adult has control of the TV.  One of our favorite shows is Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  As a matter of fact it is on in the background as I write this up.  Each time I sit down to watch I vow I will not go the kitchen to get anything to eat.  This is next to impossible.  The great little spots that host Guy Fieri visits have some of the most mouthwatering dishes.  The great thing is that most of it is REAL food and not some shee shee poo poo dish that leaves you more hungry then when you arrived.  So in watching one episode the restaurant he was visiting made Cheeseburger Soup.  It looked absolutely delicious and I had to try it.  I looked for a recipe that I could use to make for the next day.  Below is that recipe and it was a HUGE hit!  This is a "sorry there are no leftovers" dish.  The soup barely had time to cool before my family had gone back for seconds and thirds until the pot was gone.  That to me is a true testament to the dish.  So sit back switch on Triple D on Food Network Thursdays at 11pm AST and enjoy a big bowl of liquid cheeseburger.

1/2 lb ground beef                                        3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup chopped onion                                 4 cups cubed potatoes
3/4 cup chopped carrots                               1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup chopped celery                                 2 cups cubed Cheddar Cheese
1 tsp basil                                                      1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp parsley                                                  1/4 cups sour cream
4 Tbsp butter

Cook hamburger, onions, carrots and celery in large pot. Add butter once the hamburger is browned then add flour and stir well.  Next add basil and parsley.  Add the broth slowly stirring the entire time.  Add potatoes and bring to a boil.  Simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Next add the milk, stirring consistently.  Bring to a boil and reduce the hear to simmer.  Now you will add the cheese.  When the cheese is melted, add the sour cream and heat through.  Do not boil at this point.