Sweet-and-Sour Supper

Prep ; 20 minutes    Bake :  30 minutes    Makes 4 to 6 servings

1             pound ground beef
1-1/2       teaspoons chili powder
1-1/2       teaspoons dried oregano
1-1/2       teaspoon salt
              pepper to taste
3            cups cooked long grain rice
1            can (7 ounces) mushrooms stems  and pieces  , drained
1            medium green pepper , sliced
SAUCE:
1            cup plus 2 teaspoons  sugar
1/3         cup cornstarch
2-1/2      cups water
1/3         cup white vinegar
1/3         cup ketchup
1-1/2      teaspoons salt 
              pepper to taste 

1)    In a large skillet  , cook beef over medium heat  until meat is no longer pink  ; drain . Stir in the chili powder , oregano , salt  and pepper .
2)    In a large  saucepan , combine  sugar  and cornstarch  ; stir  in the remaing  sauce ingredients  until smooth  . Bring to a boil ; cook  and stir for 2 minutes  or until  thichened .
3)     Pour over layered  ingredients  . Bake  , uncovered  , at 350* for 30 minutes  or until  heated through .
The homemade sweet-and-sour sauce  is the key  to this dish's success .