CHEF JEFF -- ONE BYTE AT A TIME: Country Pie

If you want some comfort, try this old-fashioned recipe.

Country Pie

FOR THE CRUST:

1 pound ground beef

½ cup breadcrumbs

4 ounces tomato sauce

¼ cup chopped onion

¼ cup green pepper

1½ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon oregano

Combine above ingredients in a bowl and mix well with fork. Pat meat mixture gently into bottom and the sides of greased 9-inch, deep-dish pie plate.

FOR THE FILLING:

1 1/3 cups Minute Rice

12 ounces tomato sauce

1 cup water

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup grated cheddar cheese, divided use

Combine Minute Rice, tomato sauce, water, salt and ½ cup cheese. Spoon rice mixture into meat shell. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake in moderate oven (350 degrees) for 25 minutes. Uncover, top with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes.

Yield: Serves 6.

Grab more food tidbits at the Chef Jeff blog at GrandForksHerald.com.