Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole

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This is my daughter's favorite dish for thanksgiving. i use a medium grain rice. I updated this recipe making the sauce" instead of using canned soups"

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Steps

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

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Grease 9 x 13 pan.

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Saute onion and celery in butter in a large skillet over medium heat till clear.

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Add mushrooms and saute till soft.

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Add flour to skillet and stir to make a blond colored roux.

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Slowly add cream and milk , stirring to incorporate well.

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Using a whisk makes this quicker.

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Add basil , thyme and parsley and salt & pepper to taste.

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Cook over medium heat until thickened.

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Meanwhile , blanch the broccoli by adding it to a pot of boiling water for no more than 2 minutes.

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This keeps the bright green color.

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In a large bowl , mix broccoli , rice , onion & mushrooms sauce , & cheese.

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Add chicken broth if mixture seems dry.

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Season with salt and pepper and tabasco sauce to taste.

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Pour into greased casserole dish.

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Cover with bread crumbs.

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Bake 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees until bubbly all the way through.

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Ingredients

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fresh broccoli, butter, cooked rice, onion, celery, mushroom, flour, cheddar cheese, cream, milk, chicken broth, dried basil, dried thyme, dried parsley, tabasco sauce, seasoned bread crumbs, salt and pepper