Vegetable Rice Pizza

Rice not only makes good eating; it also is one of the most nutritious foods around. It supplies us with complex carbohydrates, an important energy source, plus small amounts of high quality protein, vitamins, and minerals (thiamin, niacin, and iron). Rice contains no cholesterol or sodium, and only a trace amount of fat. The staple food source for more than half of the world's population, rice appears in traditional dishes in countries as diverse as China, Greece, India, and Spain. The Rice Council offers a wide range of recipes containing rice, including some that call for rice bran, the fiber and nutrient rich outer layers of brown rice. A sampling of recipes from their files follows. Enjoy them with rice grown or milled Texas-style!

Makes 4 servings

1 1/2 c. cooked brown or white rice

1 egg, beaten

1/2 c. (2 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 c. tomato sauce 1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp. EACH garlic powder, and ground black pepper

2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

1 c. (4 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1/3 c. EACH sliced fresh mushrooms and zucchini

1/4 c. EACH sliced ripe olives and diced red bell pepper

1 T. snipped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine rice, egg, and Cheddar cheese. Press into greased 12-inch pizza pan or 10-inch pie pan. Bake five minutes. Combine tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper; spread over rice crust. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Layer one-half c. mozzarella cheese and parsley. Bake at 400 degrees eight to 10 minutes.

From the November 1990 issue.

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