Better Bargain Meals

Southwest Chicken and Rice Wraps
Chicken and Rice Florentine
Stuffed Peppers

(Family Features) - Delicious, good-for-you dishes that don't take much time or money to make - sound impossible? Not if you have the right ingredients.

Keeping the pantry and kitchen stocked with healthy ingredients makes nutritious cooking a breeze. And those pantry staples don't have to cost a fortune. Brown rice and seasoning blends are two affordable everyday must-haves for healthy cooking.

Long cooking brown rice can take up to 45 minutes to prepare - but a quick cooking alternative such as Minute® Brown Rice is ready in only 10 minutes.
Brown rice is cholesterol free 100 percent whole grain that contains no trans fat, and its only fat comes from the natural rice bran. Minute Brown Rice is also gluten free, low in sodium and is a complex carbohydrate which makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in any meal. And it is excellent for dollar-stretching leftovers.

Salt is used as a flavor enhancer in many prepared dishes, but too much salt can be bad for your health. That's why using products such as Mrs. Dash® Salt-Free Seasoning Blends is a better choice. The combination of salt-free all-natural herbs and spices is perfectly blended to offer great flavor in a flash.

These recipes bring the best of both ingredients together to help you make healthy meals in a matter of minutes.

Southwest Chicken and Rice Wraps

Ingredients

• 1 can (14 ounces) low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups Minute Brown Rice, uncooked
• 2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash® Salt-Free Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend
• 2 cups frozen southwest blend vegetables
• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 4 whole wheat tortillas
• 1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded, optional
• 1/2 cup light sour cream, optional

Preparation

1. Bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan.
2. Add rice, seasoning blend, vegetables and chicken; stir. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
3. Warm tortillas and divide rice mixture evenly onto tortillas. Top with cheese and sour cream, if desired, and roll into desired shape.

Serves
Serves 4

Chicken and Rice Florentine

Ingredients

• 1 can (14 ounces) low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups Minute Brown Rice, uncooked
• 1 tablespoon Mrs. Dash® Salt-Free Lemon Pepper Seasoning Blend
• 1 tablespoon Mrs. Dash® Salt-Free Onion & Herb Seasoning Blend
• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Preparation

1. Bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan.
2. Add rice, seasoning blends and chicken; stir. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
3. Add spinach and stir until wilted. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Serves
Serves 4

Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 cup Minute Brown Rice, uncooked
• 2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash® Salt-Free Tomato Basil Garlic Seasoning Blend
• 1 pound lean ground round
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
• 1 jar (24 ounces) low-sodium marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Preparation

1. Remove tops and seeds from peppers. Place into a deep oven-proof baking dish.
2. Combine rice, seasoning blend, beef, egg and bread crumbs in medium size bowl. Blend well. Stuff mixture into peppers.
3. Pour sauce over peppers and sprinkle with cheese. Cover dish and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes or until peppers are tender.

Serves
Serves 4