HEARTY SAUSAGE AND BROWN RICE BAKE

1/2 pound turkey breakfast sausage
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup chopped onion
1 (16 ounce) can no salt whole tomatoes
1 1/2 cups quick brown rice
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, canned, undrained
1 cup water
2 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
fresh oregano (to garnish)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray an unheated large skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Add the sausage, celery and onion and cook over medium heat until the sausage browns.

Drain tomatoes, reserving juice. Chop coarsely and set aside.

Combine the sausage mixture, rice, kidney beans, tomatoes and their juice, 1 cup water, oregano, garlic powder, black pepper, basil and red pepper in a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Mix well.

Bake, uncovered at 350 F. for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake until the cheese melts. Serve garnished with the oregano.

Servings: 6
Source: Uncle Ben's Healthy Eating Cookbook