2 servings per can?!

If you've ever looked at the nutrition label on a can of soup, you know that each can is two servings. Granted some cans are larger than others, but really? You're supposed to get two servings out of one can? One can fits in one bowl so to me, that means it should be one serving. But say you need to split a can of soup with someone (because you both want that LAST bowl of minestrone) else, and you know half that can will just not fill you up, then what? Add rice! You'll get a full bowl of food and you'll stretch that soup. You can even make it stretch with yourself - have half the can for lunch and the other half for dinner, or for lunch the next day.

I made some rice in the rice cooker, and put normal size scoops in my bowl. I used a white rice, but obviously you can use brown if you want to be healthier.

Then just tossed on half the can of my "traditional split pea soup" from Progresso

Mixed it together and voila - a full bowl of food for lunch, using only half the can of soup

This is also good for the budget conscious. Between the price of a big bag of rice, and half a can of soup you're talking as little as $0.75 for the meal, up to maybe $1.50 max.

Leftovers for lunch!

Last night we had lemon-herb chicken for dinner, and we had a couple of leftover breasts. Today for lunch I decided to make some rice, saute some mushrooms, shred a leftover breast, and mix it all together. Great lunch! And I've got a lot of leftover!

Sauteing the mushrooms with some olive oil spray

I used pre-sliced baby portobello mushrooms

Rice in the rice cooker, which I added a little extra light olive oil to while cooking

Leftover breast, about to get shredded!

And final product. Delish!

Dirty rice (crock pot)

I was searching for something to make in the crock pot today. I figured if I made something in it, using the Italian sausage I had on hand, I'd be less likely to bake treats and then eat them all LOL. I found this on 365 Days of Slow Cooking, and adjusted it slightly. 

1 pound Italian sausage
3 cups water
1.5 cups uncooked medium grain rice
1.5 cups chopped onion
1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp crushed red pepper

Brown sausage in skillet. Drain. Place in slow cooker. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or until rice is done.

The dish was spicy. It could have used less spice. Perhaps less crushed red pepper. Or milder sausage. It was yummy, but too spicy for children, definitely. I won't even attempt to give it to my 4 year old, but I'll eat it for sure, and I'm sure my brother will appreciate it as well.

This is the Italian sausage I used - generic brand

And this is the rice I used

My helper happens to love bell pepper, and she stole a bite when I was checking the recipe

And this is everything stirred together and ready to cook

Finished product