QUICK CARROT AND RICE SIDE DISH

To make an easy and complete dinner meal, just add this delicious side dish to your favorite meat entree. It combines rice and carrots with tasty chicken flavoring that will please kids or adults.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups rice (I like Uncle Ben's converted rice)
2 cups grated or chopped carrots (use baby carrots or peeled regular carrots)
2 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. sea salt
4 cups water
1 cube Wyler's chicken bouillon or 1 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules
(note - can substitute 2 cans chicken broth or stock for part of the water, instead of using the bouillon cube/granules)
1 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

In medium sauce pot, bring water, bouillon cube and salt to boiling. Stir in rice, butter and carrot. Bring to boil again. Pour into a greased 2 quart casserole dish. Cover and bake at 325 degrees for approx. 25 min. Stir; sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese and bake uncovered for 5 minutes longer (cheese should be hot and bubbly).

This recipe is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies!

SHOPPING TIP:
If you like to shop at Costco or other food warehouses, check out their frozen meat entrees that come in larger packages. Simply cook as many meat entree portions as needed for your family, and package the rest in a smaller container for a future meal.

QUESADILLAS FOR DINNER

Quesadillas are a regular menu item at our house, due to the fact that we have a 13 year old boy who thinks the world of them. The nicest thing is, they are so versatile! Quesadillas have appeared on the breakfast, lunch and supper table and rightly deserve the title of Go-To meals in a hurry.

BASIC QUESADILLA RECIPE

Medium or large size tortillas (we like the thicker and chewier soft taco tortillas)
Shredded Cheese (we like sharp cheddar or a mixture of jack and cheddar; see variations below)

Heat a non-stick skillet on medium-high heat; assembly quesadilla and place in skillet. Cook approximately 2 minutes on each side, until cheese is melted.

TOPPINGS: Top your quesadillas with sour cream, chopped green onion, guacamole or whatever your heart desires.

VARIATIONS FOR GREAT QUESADILLA MEALS

Chicken Quesadillas - Add leftover chicken breast that has been shredded with a fork, along with finely diced purple onion and jack cheese.

Pepper Jack Quesadillas - Add sliced jalapeno or Hungarian peppers with cheddar cheese or shredded Mexican blend cheeses.

Sun-Dried Tomato Quesadillas - Use sundried tomato wraps (tortillas); add shredded Gouda cheese topped with sundried tomatoes (oil packed).

Roasted Red Pepper Quesadillas - Use a light colored cheese like mozarella, Muenster or white cheddar; add strips of well-drained roasted red peppers and some finely diced purple onion.

The variations for Quesadillas is endless! Whatever ingredients you have on hand can be added. Try ham and cheese, shredded beef and cheddar, turkey and jack with cilantro - the sky's the limit!

If you have a Quesadilla variation, feel free to post it in the comments section.