Easy Smoked Sausage Skillet

• 1 pkg. smoked sausage, sliced thin
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced thin
• 1 small yellow onion, sliced thin
• 1 pkg. frozen broccoli, thawed
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (or water)
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cups instant rice
• 1/2 cup shredded
• Mozzarella cheese

Heat olive oil and garlic in skillet, stir in sausage slices and cook until browned.  Add pepper, onion, broccoli, broth and tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the liquid is absorbed.  In the meantime, prepare rice according to package instructions.  Stir rice into the skillet, sprinkle with cheese and serve.

Bread Pudding

• 6 slices bread
• 2 Tbsps. butter, melted
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Break bread into small pieces and spread into an 8-inch baking pan.  Drizzle melted butter over bread.  If desired, sprinkle with raisins.  In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Beat until well mixed.  Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.  Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back with lightly tapped.