Recipe: Fisherman's Casserole (using cooked rice, thickened with flour)

FISHERMAN'S CASSEROLE

1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 lb. mushrooms, sliced
5 tbsp. butter
1/3 cup flour
2 cups milk
3/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 lb. sm. shrimp, cooked
1/2 lb. crab meat
2 cups cooked rice
Paprika

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In frying pan, saute onion, green pepper, celery, and mushrooms in butter until soft, 5 minutes.

Stir in flour and cook until bubbly.

Remove from heat and gradually stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.

Add cheese and stir until melted.

Remove from heat and blend in shrimp and crab meat. Spread rice in the bottom of a greased 9-inch square dish. Pour seafood mixture over rice, sprinkle with paprika. (If made ahead, refrigerate at this point.*)

Bake uncovered in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes, until light brown and heated through.

*If desired, you may refrigerate before baking. At meal time, uncover casserole and bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.