Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Call me sports challenged

First off, I’m out of my element here.  Sports of any kind is not my strong suit, although I come from a family that knew the stats of every sports team and player across the U.S. Football, baseball, and basketball, The Holy Trinity, as it was deemed by my father and brother, Don.
If two games were being broadcast at once, Daddy had one ear fixed to the radio while he watched the other on television.  Broadcasters Red Barber, Mel Allen and Lindsay Nelson were common household names around our domicile and Dizzy Dean’s background comments always made my father laugh.
Corbin sports heroes always remained at the top of Don’s ‘most admired list’ and he could roll off stats and scores from half a century ago as clearly as he could recite the alphabet. The TV is automatically turned to ESPN as soon as Don or my son enter the door. My husband was the same way. I have a half dozen ESPN stations on my television and never watch a single one. The sports gene is not in my DNA. To me a tight end is when the jeans fit too snugly.
So it was with wonderment that I observed the most hyped, over-exaggerated, blown up piece of sports news that dominated the airwaves 24/7 last week. It usurped every bit of breaking news, even the oil spill along the Gulf states that has held us captive for going on two months. It was about a basketball player named LeBron James, and what team he was going to sign with. Even our national treasure Betty White was getting in on the act. “Stay in Cleveland!” she implored James.
Who is this guy, I thought. And what sport is he connected to? Football? Basketball?  Baseball? And what has he done to prove that he is worthy of a 40 million dollar contract. Obviously not a lot. We still don’t have a cure for cancer. Nor the common cold. And the oil spill has yet to be stopped from polluting the whole of the Atlantic Ocean. Still, the big question, “what team is he going to sign with” was uppermost in the minds of millions of sports fans. No one thing in my memory has had so many fans hanging by their thumbs in anticipation.
On the night of the of the big announcement, every TV station across the country was awaiting James’ decision. Watching the excited crowds in sports bars and outdoor arenas, I called my daughter-in-law and said, “The world has gone mad. The Second Coming would never draw as much attention as this!”
In what was one of the dullest bits of television history, James finally announced his decision. Miami cheered, Cleveland fans cried then became angry, and the world still turned.  

Celebrate summer with this quick casserole made with zucchini, herbs, cheese, and rice.

Zucchini Herb Casserole

1/3 cup uncooked long grain white rice
2/3 cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds zucchini, cubed
1 cup sliced green onions
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 teaspoons garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 cups seeded, chopped tomatoes
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

Combine the rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, until rice is tender.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a shallow 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the zucchini, green onions, and garlic 5 minutes, or until tender. Season with garlic salt, basil, paprika, and oregano. Mix in the cooked rice, tomatoes, and 1 cup cheese. Continue to cook and stir until heated through. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Bake uncovered 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.