Rae Udy

RECIPES: Baked Bean Rancheros and Rice Pizza

By Rae Udy

It has been 36 years since the first Earth day in 1970 and we have come a long way in support of environmental issues and responsibility.
Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd by shopping for organic food, starting your own organic garden or try cooking a vegan or vegetarian meal for the family for your own “green” activity.
The Earth Day Network estimates more than 500 million people will participate in Earth Day observances in over 141 countries. Around the world there are many options for healthy vegetarian cooking.
Baked Bean Rancheros is a spicy high-protein main dish from Mexico. Serve with a crisp green salad made with organic greens to make a filling Earth Day meal.
Top Rice Pizza with all your favorites for an Italian Earth Day menu. Look for organic produce at local health food stores and most large grocery outlets have an organic food section.

BAKED BEAN RANCHEROS
½ (one-half) cup chopped onion
½ (one-half) cup green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 cups pinto beans, cooked and drained (canned beans work great)
½ (one-half) cup unsalted tomato sauce
½ (one-half) cup chopped tomato
2 Tablespoons diced green chilies
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup organic cornmeal
½ (one-half) cup soy sour cream
1 egg or soy egg substitute
Saute onion and green pepper in oil until tender. Stir in beans, tomato sauce, tomato, chilies and chili powder. Bring to low simmer. Divide mixture into six lightly oiled or sprayed custard baking cups. In a small bowl beat cornmeal, soy sour cream and soy egg until just blended. Spoon about three tablespoons cornmeal mixture over each custard cup and spread evenly. Bake uncovered in a preheated 400 degree oven for fifteen minutes or until cornbread in golden brown. Yields six servings.

RICE PIZZA
2 cups brown rice, cooked and chilled
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 eggs or soy egg substitute
2 cups canned pizza or spaghetti sauce
In a small bowl mix cold rice with oil and eggs until blended. Pour rice mixture onto a lightly oiled or sprayed large pizza pan or cookie sheet and press mixture flat with clean wet hands or use back of large spoon to spread about one-half inch thick. Form a rim around the edges of pan. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for ten minutes. Remove from oven and spoon sauce over crust. Top with your favorite pizza toppings. Chopped vegan sausages, chopped onion, sliced green and hot peppers, mushrooms, olives, grated soy or low-fat mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese are healthy veggie options. Return to oven and bake for twenty minutes or until cheese melts and crust edge is golden brown. Remove from oven and cool five minutes before slicing to serve six.