*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                    MEXICAN BEAN AND RICE CASSEROLE

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Vegetarian                       Main dish

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  1       tb           Oil
  1       lg           Onion -- chopped
  2                    Celery stalks -- chopped
  1                    Red bell pepper -- diced
  3       c            Red kidney beans -- cooked
                       Enough liquid from cooking
                       -the beans to make a puree
  6       oz           Tomato paste
  1       t            Cumin
  1       t            Chili powder
  1       t            Basil
    1/2   ts           Oregano
          pn           Cayenne, if desired
  3       tb           Shoyu or tamari
  1       c            Arame -- soaked (optional)
  4       c            Brown rice -- cooked
    1/2   c            Parsley -- chopped
  3       lg           Tomatoes, ripe -- sliced
  5                    Garlic cloves -- pressed

  Heat the oil in a large skillet and saute th eonion,
 celery and red pepper till almost tender.

  Blend together the beans, a small amount of the
 liquid from cooking them (about 1/4 cup), the tomato
 paste, the spices, and the shoyu or tamari in a
 blender or food processor tomake a puree. Transfer the
 puree to a large bowl.

  Add the sauteed vegetables and the soaked arame (if
 desired) to the bean puree and mix well.

  In a separate bowl, mix the rice and parsley together.

  Oil a large, deep baking dish. Place half of the rice
 in the bottom of the dish. Spread half of the bean
 mixture over the rice, top it with half of the sliced
 tomatoes, and then distribute half of the pressed
 garlic over the tomatoes. Repeat the layers.

  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

  Delicious with steamed artichokes and a big green
 salad.

  From the files of DEEANNE



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