For Each Skyscape, You'll Need:
3 tablespoons blueberries
1 tablespoon raspberries
1 ½ teaspoons packed light brown sugar
1 cup uncooked sticky rice
1 ¼ cups water
½ teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper
2 slices yellow cheddar cheese
2 slices Monterey Jack cheese
You Will Also Need: Moon and star cookie cutters
1. Combine the blueberries, raspberries, and brown sugar in a blender. Before an adult turns on the blender, say "Van GO!" Puree until smooth.
2. Rinse the rice and place it in a saucepan with the water, berry puree, and thyme. Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Cook the rice for 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and keep the lid on for 7 to 98 more minutes, until the rice is sticky and soft. Season with salt and pepper.
With great artistic flair, spread the rice on a plate, or your "canvas." Use a cookie cutter to cut star and moon shapes out of the cheese slices, and place them around the dark purple rice sky. Picture perfect!
From the book Bean Appetit by Shannon Payette Seip and Kelly Parthen, with Carisa Dixon
