This Mozzarella Rice Torte is a backyard BBQ recipe I grew up with. A rice torte is a great side dish to bring to someone’s house for a summer BBQ, a Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, or any holiday party. In addition to a side dish for a party, it’s a great main course when served with fruit and vegetables.
My Mozzarella Rice Torte is really easy to make. Here is what you need:
Ingredients:
3 cups cooked rice
4 eggs-beaten and mixed well
1 cup Parmesan
1 tablespoons nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
2 pats of butter
2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin is best)
¼ cup tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon thyme
2 tablespoons basil
1 package of shredded mozzarella
Mix together, then add rice and mix well.
Pre-heat oven 350.
Layer one half of rice mixture, and smooth out with a spoon
Layer all of the mozzarella on top of the rice
Layer the second half of the rice mixtures, and smooth out with a spoon.
Bake covered for 45 minutes at 350.
Bake uncovered an additional 5 minutes at 350.
Let the torte cool for an hour before slicing into cubes.
Serve at room temperature.
Voila! You have a delicious side dish everyone will enjoy!
pictured: low calorie soda with raspberry Torani syrup, vanilla Torani syrup, and Perrier sparkling water in a Waterford wine glass /
The holidays are here! Chances are, you are hosting at least one party or event this season at your home. When hosting an event or party, it’s always a good idea to have non-alcoholic drinks for guests who are underage, designated drivers, or who don’t drink. Of course, it’s easy to provide water, soda, coffee, and tea; but what hostess wants to be that boring?! N’est pas de moi!
Since I am all about “easy” recipes when I entertain, I wanted to share my five favorite, easy non-alcoholic drink recipes for the holidays with you. I hope you love them; and I hope your guests do too! Of course, you don’t have to be a hostess to make these drinks. They can be made on any evening and served with dinner; or randomly throughout the day as a snack! They are that yummy! So, without further ado, here are five easy non-alcoholic drinks for the holidays:
Easy non-alcoholic drinks for the holidays
Egg Nog Hot Chocolate: One of my favorite holiday drinks is hot chocolate with egg nog! I like to mix hot cocoa with one ounce of Budd’s Egg Nog. Budd’s is really the best egg nog, but if you can’t find it in your area, Southern Comfort also makes a good one!
Butterbeer: If you are a Harry Potter fan, or you like sweet drinks such as cream soda, then you will love Butterbeer! Click here to read my no-fail recipe so you can make it at home for yourself, or any event you are hosting.
Low Calorie Italian Soda: My favorite way to enjoy soda, without actually drinking soda, is with this trick! One tablespoon Torani Syrup, flavor of choice, and then fill the glass with mineral water. I prefer San Pellegrino or Perrier. To sweeten a fruit Torani Syrup, add half a tablespoon of vanilla Torani syrup. Works like a charm! Makes a 20-40 calorie soda, unless you use sugarless Torani syrup, then it’s a zero calorie soda! Love!
Shirley Temple: This is an old fashioned favorite! Chances are, you grew up drinking Shirley Temples when your family went out to dinner. It was definitely my go-to drink as a child! It’s really easy to make at home too; so you don’t have to wait to go to a restaurant to order one. You can make them for the kids at your holiday parties; and any adult who wants a fun drink that is alcohol free. Love! To make a Shirley Temple, you use a high ball glass (or red wine glass if you’re feeling fancy), fill it with 3-4 ice cubes, one shot of Grenadine, and then fill the rest of the glass with Sprite. It’s that easy! Pop in a cocktail straw and/or maraschino cherry, and you have a fun mocktail for your guests!
Hot Apple Cider: Most hot apple cider recipes are crazy! They have ten steps, and want you to do fancy things with cloves. Ain’t no-one got time for that! I don’t have an original recipe for hot apple cider, what I do have, is a link to an easy version. Click here to check it out. I love any recipe which is easy, and includes whip cream! Love! This is an apple cider recipe both kids and adults will love. It’s perfect for the holidays; and any cold evening when you want to warm up! It’s the coziest, low calorie drink I can think of! Enjoy!
A few things you might need to make these holiday drinks:
There they are! Five easy non-alcoholic holiday drink recipes for kids or anyone who doesn’t want alcohol. What are some of your favorite non-alcoholic drink recipes you like to make for yourself, your family, or your guests? Please share in the comments below!
One of my favorite types of potato dishes is Potatoes Au Gratin. I cook potatoes often at home since my husband loves them, but I never tried to cook Potatoes Au Gratin at home in fifteen years of marriage! So, over the weekend, I decided to try cooking it, but couldn’t find a recipe I liked. What do I do when I don’t like the recipes I find online and in cookbooks? I make up my own!
I tested out this recipe with my whole family, and served it with seared scallops, and fresh carrots. I have to say, carrots don’t really go well with scallops; so lesson learned! Haha That being said, they all loved the way I cooked the scallops and the Potatoes Au Gratin! Yay!
Potatoes Au Gratin is a tasty side dish, especially during the colder months. There is something comforting about them; so I will place this dish in the comfort food category!
This is a great side dish to serve at home, or to cook and bring to a family or friend gathering that is pot-luck style! It goes great paired with steak, meatloaf, pork, or a vegetable stew if you are vegetarian. It was a little overwhelming with seafood; oooops! Still tasty though! haha
Without further ado, here is my new Potatoes Au Gratin recipe! I hope you enjoy it with your family!
½ stick of butter (I use unsalted and prefer Clover or Land O’ Lakes)
1 8 oz. package of Sargento Italian Blend shredded cheese. If Sargento isn’t sold near you, this is a mix of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, provolone cheese, Romano cheese, Fontina cheese, and Asiago cheese.
Season to taste: salt, paprika, and finely ground basil
Prep:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and make sure there is a shelf in the middle of the oven.
Melt butter, and ensure it covers the bottom of the casserole dish.
After 60 minutes, remove, serve, and enjoy! Makes about twelve servings.
Calories per serving: about 259
There you have it! A yummy Potatoes Au Gratin recipe to enjoy with your friends and family! I hope you love it for the holiday season and anytime you want a yummy, comforting side dish.
Thanks for stopping by!
XOXO
Cathy
*My apologies for the so-so photos. I took them in my poorly lit kitchen at night.
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