BEEF AND RICE CASSEROLE

3/4 cup uncooked rice
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon garlic fresh
1/2 pound ground beef
1 (10 oz) package chopped broccoli
1 (10 1/2 oz) can condensed broccoli cheese soup
1/2 cup milk
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:
seasoned bread crumbs
grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare the rice with the water in standard manner. (I do not use salt or margarine in the preparation of the rice.)

Saute onions and garlic slowly until onions are just tender.

Add the ground beef and brown. Cook onions and ground beef about 7 minutes. Drain off the fat. Return to medium heat.

Separately mix the broccoli cheese soup and milk. Stir until creamy in texture. At this point test for taste. I usually add table grind black pepper and salt (less that 1/2 teaspoon).

When the ground beef is ready, add the rice and broccoli, and soup mixture, tossing carefully. Put the mixture in to a 9x9 or 9x13-inch casserole dish. Sometimes I top this with seasoned bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.

Bake about 35 minutes.