Cheesy Cornchip Casserole

I threw this together for a quick meal last night after getting back from our camping trip. It was crunchy, cheesy, and had just the right blend of everything to make kids and adults love it!

Preheat your oven to 400.
Spray 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick spray.
Layer the pan with corn chips (just enough to cover the bottom)
Then, add ingredients in this sequence:
2 cups prepared rice (brown or jasmine)
1 small can mushrooms
1/2 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
corn chips or corn tortillas (again, just enough to cover)
1 (15 oz) can of corn
rest of diced tomatoes
1 small can sliced olives
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar

Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Serves about 6-8 people.

*Note: If you don't want the fat/calories from all of that cheese, just reduce it to what you're comfortable with.

Wannabe Wine Lovers Wednesday

Christmas is just around the corner...literally and it got me thinking, I haven't selected any wine to bring with me to the dinners we will be attending. Since wine can be costly in more than one way (remember the time you spent $20 on that wine that was hard to swallow?) I thought I'd start a tradition here at Cheapskate Life on Wednesdays and review some wine that is easy on the palette and on your wallet!

One of my favorites, and a lot of others' too, is this sweet and tangy Riesling from Columbia Crest. It complements a variety of dishes, such as ham, and sweet chicken. Price usually runs around $5.00-$8.00.

If you're looking for a red, might I suggest Yellow Tail's Merlot? With a deep, but not too deep cherry and grape flavor that only gets better with each sip. Made in Australia, you can get this wine for around $7.00. Pair it with beef, heartly cheeses, like swiss, grueyer, meunster, monterey jack, and aged cheddar.