Cheesy Beef-and-Rice Casserole

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pound ground round
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 can diced tomatoes -- (14.5-ounce)
undrained
1 can chopped green chiles -- (4.5-ounce) drained
3 cups cooked long-grain rice
1 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup skim milk
3/4 cup reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese -- (3 ounces)


INSTRUCTIONS:
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Preheat oven to 375

Cook first 3 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until meat is browned, stirring to crumble. Add water and next 6 ingredients (water through chiles); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Uncover and simmer an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside.

Combine the rice, sour cream, sliced green onions, and milk in a bowl. Spoon rice mixture into a 9-inch baking dish. Top with beef mixture; sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 375&176; for 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
{mine was in a total of 15 minutes and plenty hot}

4 servings (serving size: 1-1/4 cups)

These are quick and easy MM

Coconut Macaroons

14 oz package of sweetened coconut


1 can sweetened condensed milk (homemade is fine)

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl combine the coconut, condensed milk and vanilla. Stir well. Drop by small spoonfuls onto a very well greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan while still warm. Makes about 3 dozen.

If you are making these to use up coconut from homemade coconut milk, follow this procedure:

The leftover coconut from 1 batch of Homemade Coconut Milk (about 2 cups)


3/4 cup homemade or canned sweetened condensed milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Stir everything together and bake as directed above. Makes about 2 dozen macaroons.

If desired, you may add 1/2 to 1-cup of chocolate chips to the recipe and bake as directed. Either way, these are good, easy and very popular. I just made them today I thought I'd share with you.