Southern Recipe Restoration Project

For more than a century, the Bright Star Restaurant in Bessemer, Ala., has built a large and loyal following by serving classic Southern fare, with occasional culinary references to its Greek heritage. Last year, the University of Alabama published “A Centennial Celebration of the Bright Star Restaurant,” which recounts its colorful history and features some of its most-loved dishes, drawing from its Greek roots and the region it came to embrace.
This is one of several recipes that reflect that assimilation of flavors.
When this casserole is for lunch, there’s a standing list of Bright Star customers who want to know about it -- via phone or fax, and for good reason. It’s tasty, and -- good for us at home -- easy to make. Use rice such as Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice to make this dish come together quickly.