Cat Litter Casserole

1 cup biscuit baking mix
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 pound ground beef, turkey or pork sausage

Litter:
2 cups long grain rice
3 3/4 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Using clean hands, mix together baking mix, cheese and ground beef in a large bowl. Mold pieces of this mixture into various sizes/shapes. Place the pieces so they they don't touch in an ungreased baking pan. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until brown, firmly and slightly crusty.

While the meat cooks, place water, rice, salt and butter into a large saucepan. Heat on high until water begins to come to a boil. Stir, turn heat to low and cover pan. Simmer without lifting the cover for 14 minutes.

Remove saucepan from the stove and carefully, lift off cover. Break apart or fluff the rice with a fork and set pan aside.

When meat is done, carefully transfer to paper towels to drain.

Spoon rice and meat into the now empty pan, leaving some meat partially uncovered.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.