Spanish Rice Casserole

*SPANISH RICE CASSEROLE*
A microwaved quick meal, terrific for using up leftover hamburger meat, chicken or ham. Serves 4

1 tbsp	Vegetable oil	15 mL
1 med.	Finely chopped onion	1 med.
10	Fresh mushrooms, sliced	10
1	Stalk celery, chopped	1
1/2	Green pepper, chopped	1/2
1	Garlic cloves, finely minced	1
1 tbsp.	Fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried	15 mL
1 tbsp	Fresh basil or 1 tsp dried	15 mL
1 tsp	Salt	5 ml
pinch ea	Oregano, cayenne and chili powder	1 mL ea
1 cup	Drained tomatoes or 3 fresh peeled	250 mL
2 cups	Chicken broth	500 mL
1 cup	Long grain rice	250 mL
1/2 cup	Shredded cheddar or swiss cheese	125 mL

In a 2-quart [2 L] casserole microwave, oil, onion, mushrooms, green peppers, celery, garlic and seasoning on high for 4-5 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes and rice. Microwave covered on MEDIUM for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, cover and let stand 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Note: For a full meal casserole add any one of the following: 1 cup [250 mL] diced ham, cooked drained ground beef, or 6 slices of cooked crumbled bacon, adding to dish just before topping with the cheese.