Dad Cooks!

While Mom and I have been hard at work designing and sewing up projects for the book I'm writing, Dad has been keeping us fed in grand style. We can't show off the projects yet, but we can show you one of Dad's casseroles.



He got the recipe from his favorite cookbook, Taste of Home's Contest Winning Recipes, 2004. Before Mom had shoulder surgery last year, Dad read through nearly every recipe she has, looking for things he could make while she was out of commission. He made lists, shopped, and cooked up a storm. Baked pies from scratch and everything. Still does, once in a while.

Anyway, here's his recipe for Cajun Cabbage Casserole. We finished everything in the nick of time, so we should be back with something interesting to show you on Friday.

1 lb. ground beef
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel)
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
½ c uncooked long grain rice
1 t salt
½ t dried basil
½ t dried oregano
¼ to ½ teaspoon each white, black and cayenne pepper (Dad stays on the low end of the range)
4 to 6 drops hot pepper sauce (Dad usually leaves this out, depending on whether he expects anyone with a sensitive stomach in the dinner crowd)
1 small head of cabbage
1 c shredded Colby cheese

In a skillet, brown beef, green pepper, onion and garlic. Drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, rice and seasonings.

Spread in an ungreased 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with cabbage and cheese. Cover and bake at 350° for 65 to 75 minutes or until the rice is tender.