side dish: broccoli and white beans with rice

I created this as a side dish, but it could easily be served as a great vegetarian entree!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs broccoli (I use frozen. It tastes great and frozen food can hold more vitamins                          than fresh!!)
• 1- 15oz can navy beans
• 1- 15 oz can great northern beans
• 1 1/2 cups dry  white rice
• 1/2 white onion – diced
• 2 cloves garlic- diced
• 8 ounces  extra sharp cheddar- shredded
• 2 cups milk (maybe more)
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1 tbs butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp thyme
• crushed red pepper
• 1 habanero, if desired

Instructions:

In a small sauce pot bring 3 cups water to a boil . Add white rice. (do not cook all the way through. When rice is al dente , you will add it to the other ingredients)

meanwhile, add olive oil and butter in a stock pot. Once butter is melted, add garlic and onion. Saute over medium heat until onion starts to sweat out. Add Broccoli. Continue to saute until the broccoli is all the way heated. Add the al dente rice, 2 cups of milk, and the rest of the remaining ingredients. Stir often until cheese is melted and all of the ingredients are blended well. You may need to add a little more milk as you go…. Consistency should be creamy but not wet.

Serve as a side dish or as a balanced vegetarian entree!