Few children will pass up a slice of pizza. They may have their favorites, but there’s something irresistible about any pizza, with its melted cheese on top, and most kids just can’t get enough of it. Since pizza is such a favorite, there are now all kinds of other foods that offer a take on the popular dish. I have even found a recipe for a rice dish that offers a new slant on pizza, and it’s sure to be a winner with adults and children alike!
The rice is topped with melted, stringy Mozzarella cheese and pepperoni is included in the dish as well. If you want a little crunchiness, I make cheesy bruschetta to accompany the rice.
Like the Pizza Rice, the bruschetta is flavorful and easy to make. I just take a loaf of French bread and cut about 6 or 7 round slices off the end, about a half-inch thick each. Then, I melt about 3 tablespoons of butter in an ovenproof medium-size skillet and mince a clove of garlic and add it to the butter. After the butter is hot, I arrange the slices of French bread on top of the melted butter and let the bread brown a little over medium-high heat. Then, I turn on the broiler in the oven.
After the bread is somewhat toasted in the skillet, I sprinkle one side with a mixture of about 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan and 1 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese. Then, I place the skillet about 4 to 5 inches under the broiler for 2-4 minutes or until golden brown.
PIZZA RICE
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 medium onion, sliced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon sugar
3 ounces pepperoni slices
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups instant rice
1 cup water
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
In saucepan, heat the oil until it is hot; add the peppers, onion, garlic powder, pepper and oregano. Saute until the onion is transparent. Cut up half the pepperoni and add it to the vegetables; saute 2 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, sugar, rice, water and 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese; bring to a boil, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Pour the mixture into casserole dish; sprinkle the top with remaining pepperoni and Parmesan cheese and cover all with Mozzarella cheese. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven about 6 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Serves 4.
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