Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   3      cups          cooked brown rice -- (1 1/2, cups
                        -- uncooked), cook
                        salt and pepper
   1 1/3  cups          cooked black beans or -- black-eyed peas,
                        -- or pinto beans
   3      cloves        garlic -- minced
   1      large         onion -- chopped
   1      small   can   chiles -- chopped
     1/2  pound         ricotta cheese -- thinned with
                        little low fat milk or
                        yogurt until spreadable
     3/4  pound         shredded Monterrey Jack -- cheese
     1/2  cup           shredded cheddar cheese

Preparation:

Garnishes (optional): chopped black olives, onions, fresh parsley Preheat oven to 350F. Mix together rice, beans, garlic, onion, and chilies. In a casserole, spread alternating layers of the rice-beans mixture, ricotta cheese, and Jack cheese, ending with a layer of rice and beans. Bake for 30 minutes. During the last few minutes of baking, sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top. Garnish before serving. Complementary protein: rice and beans and milk products From: DIET FOR A SMALL PLANET by Frances Moore Lappe' ISBN 0-345-30691-0. Random House, New York. 1971-82