Key Lime Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

• 2 Tablespoons margarine or butter, melted

• 1 carton (8-ounce) cottage cheese

• 1 pkg. (3.5-ounce) vanilla instant pudding & pie filling

• 1 cup milk

• 2 Tablespoons lime juice

• Grated peel of 1 lime

• 2 cups cold cooked Riceland Long-Grain White Rice

• 3 drops green food coloring

• Whipped topping, optional

• Lime slices, optional

Instructions:

1. Combine vanilla wafer crumbs, pecans and margarine in baking dish; bake 15 minutes at 350F.  
2. Remove from oven and allow to cool.  
3. With mixer or blender, process cottage cheese until smooth; set aside.  
4. Combine pudding mix and milk; mix well.  
5. Add cottage cheese, lime juice, lime peel, rice and food coloring to pudding, mixing all ingredients well.  
6. In serving bowl, layer half of crumb-nut mixture and top with half of pudding. Repeat layers.  
7. Chill and serve. Garnish with whipped topping and lime if desired. A cool summer refresher!