Cilantro Rice

from Stephanie

4 tsp. chicken bullion
4 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 tsp. cumin
1 can diced green chiles
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tbls. Butter
1/2 onion, chopped
3 cups rice

Blend in blender then put in pan on stove. Add 3 cups water (sometimes I add more to make it more moist) and bring to a boil. Add three cups rice, simmer 30 minutes.

Bajio Sweet Rice

from Kim

1/2-1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 of a white onion, chopped (add more or less to your taste)
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
1 1/3 cups white rice
3 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup white sugar

Heat oil in large skillet. Saute chopped onion until translucent. Add the chopped cilantro (no big stems) and saute a minute more.

Add the rice, cooking until it is light brown (being careful not to burn).

Combine the chicken broth and sugar, letting sugar dissolve. Then stir into rice until combined. Bring to a boil.

Cover and let cook on low to medium-low until rice is done, about 25-30 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

from Kim

12 ounces uncooked macaroni, elbow-type
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
12 ounces fat-free evaporated milk
8 ounces low-fat cheddar or Colby cheese, shredded
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp dried bread crumbs
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Cook pasta according to package directions without added fat or salt; drain and transfer to a large bowl. While pasta is still hot, stir in sour cream; set aside.

Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear just around the edges (known as scalding). Reduce heat to low, add cheese and simmer until cheese melts, stirring constantly with a wire whisk, about 2 minutes; remove from heat and stir in mustard, salt, pepper and nutmeg.

Add cheese mixture to pasta; mix well. Transfer to a 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over pasta.

Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes.