Baked Wild Rice

1 cup wild rice
2 cups chicken broth
6 oz. mushrooms, sliced, about 1 cup
2 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded, about 1/4 cup
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 cloves garlic, crushed in a mortar & pestle
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (fresh)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse rice 1 minute under cold water; drain. Transfer rice to 2-quart casserole dish. Stir in broth, mushrooms, cheese, almonds, celery, chopped pepper, butter, garlic, & pepper. Cover & bake until rice is tender, about 1 hour & 30 minutes. It can be used as a main dish, or a side dish.