Hey, it’s the first day of spring here in the northern hemisphere, and we couldn’t be happier! It’s been a lovely, sunny day – just a bit nippy, still, frost expected overnight – but we’ll take it! Since we’re coming up on longer days, days when we’ll want to spend more hours out of doors, not hanging around a hot kitchen, I grabbed the Gooseberry Patch Fast Fix Meals cookbook this afternoon (ask for item 722025).
From the Speedy Sides section, here’s a really easy side dish from Keersten Jensen, Idaho Falls, ID. Let me quote her introduction:
One day while I was in college, I tried this recipe because I didn’t have the ingredients to make fried rice. When I took a taste, I couldn’t get enough of it! I have been making this rice for over 20 years now. It’s especially good with chicken…we like it hot or cold!
Good enough for me to share with you…
Colorful Rice Toss
2 C instant rice, uncooked
2 C boiling water
1 to 2 T butter
1 onion, chopped
8 oz bottle zesty Italian salad dressing
1 tomato, chopped
Stir rice into boiling water; cover and let stand for 5 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat; cook onion until translucent. Add rice to pan; pour salad dressing over, stirring to coat. Remove from heat and stir in tomato. Serve warm or chilled. Serves 4 to 6.
C = Cup, T = Tablespoon
When I was in college, I just had one of those single-eye heating units and an immersion heater to boil water in a cup for instant soup. Keersten sure ate better than I did!
From the Christmas Place gardens
It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold; when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens
Happy First Day of Spring!
~Janet @ The Christmas Place
