• Keep the cheese mixture separate from the rice mixture until cooking. This helps prevent the cheese from scorching or becoming grainy.

  To prepare

  You’ll need:

  If the rice seems too thick, add one or two tablespoons of hot water. For an even creamier result, replace up to ½ cup of the water with milk when cooking at home.

  Packaging the Mix

  Place the rice ingredients in a pint jar or food-storage bag. Put the cheese mixture into a separate small bag and place it on top.

  Label with:

  Add 2¼ cups water and 1 tablespoon butter. Simmer covered for approximately eighteen minutes. Remove from heat, stir in cheese packet, and rest for five minutes.

  For best quality, store in a cool, dry pantry and use within the shelf-life of the earliest-expiring ingredient—usually the cheese powder or dry milk. This is a dry pantry mix, not a home-canning recipe.

  Prepared dry mixture

  2¼ cups water 1 tablespoon butter

  Place the rice mixture, water, and butter in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil.

  Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for approximately eighteen minutes.

  Remove from the heat. Do not drain. Stir in the cheese mixture until completely incorporated. Cover and let stand for five minutes. The sauce will thicken as it rests. Taste and adjust the salt or pepper.

Easy Flavor Variations

• Using the same one-cup rice base:
• Chicken rice: Add chicken bouillon, parsley, onion, garlic, celery seed, and turmeric.
• Mushroom rice: Add dried mushrooms, beef bouillon, onion, garlic, thyme, and pepper.
• Mexican rice: Add tomato powder, chili powder, cumin, onion, garlic, and chicken bouillon.
• Cheesy rice: Omit the broccoli and increase the cheddar powder slightly.
• Herb and butter rice: Add parsley, onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and chicken bouillon.
• Beefy onion rice: Add beef bouillon, dried onion, garlic powder, parsley, and black pepper
• One important recipe-testing note: bouillon and cheese powders differ considerably in saltiness. I would make one batch with your preferred brands before assembling several jars, then adjust the salt and bouillon accordingly.