Green Rice Ring (Recipe)

Ingredients

6 cups hot cooked rice

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (8 ounces)

1 4-ounce can chopped green chilies

1/2 to 1 teaspoon pepper

1 16-ounce carton dairy sour cream

1 pimiento, cut into strips

Celery leaves (optional)

Tomato wedges (optional)

Shredded lettuce (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.  Grease an 8-cup ring mold.  Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine the rice, cheese, chilies and pepper.  Toss to mix well.  Stir in the sour cream.

3. Spoon the cheese mixture into the prepared 8-cup ring mold, packing lightly with the back of a spoon.  Bake in the 350° oven for 30 minutes.  Cool the rice ring in the mold on a wire rack for 5 minutes.

4. Loosen the edges with a knife.  To unmold onto a serving plate, cover the top of the mold with the serving plate, invert both and lift off the mold.  Place pimiento strips over the top of the ring.  If desired, fill the center with celery leaves and tomato wedges and frame the base of the ring with shredded lettuce.

Tips:

To make 6 cups cooked rice, start with 2 cups raw long grain rice 3 cups raw quick-cooking rice.  Follow package directions for cooking and add 1 teaspoon salt.

From : America's Best-Loved Community Recipes