Veggie, Rice & Cheese Supreme

I'm always surprised by how much my family likes this meal. I'm equally surprised by how filling and satisfying it is! Also SUPER fast!

2-1/2 cups water
1 cup brown rice (It's easy to modify this recipe for other types of rice.)
1 tsp oil (I use olive oil.)
1 small zucchini, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 small yellow squash, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3/4 cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack is best, but I've used cheddar and mozza, too.)

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice, lower heat and cover. Simmer until rice is done, about 25 minutes. When the rice has 5 minutes of cooking time remaining, pour olive oil into a nonstick skillet and place over medium heat. Add zucchini, yellow squash and garlic to the pan. Sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper, and saute for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cooked rice on top of vegetables, cover with lid, turn heat to low and cook for 5 more minutes. Stir veggies and rice together and top with cheese. Replace lid for about 1 minute until cheese is melted.

This is also a good recipe to use for leftover rice, and it's super quick! Just start by cooking the veggies as directed, then add your leftover rice and continue with the recipe. It probably takes no more than 10 minutes!