Summertime brings a bushel full of choices from the garden but nothing seems more abundant than zucchini and tomatoes at harvest time. Here's a recipe that can help you finish off those harvest rewards.
A little spice along with cheese in one big casserole dish, this serves a great meal for a crowd of vegetarians or non-veggie heads alike.
Prep Time10 minsCook Time1 hr 27 minsTotal Time1 hr 37 mins
2 ½ lbs zucchini, coarsely grated
2 ½ tsp kosher salt
¾ cup plain, uncooked white rice
1 medium onion, minced (about 1 cup)
1 Anaheim or Fresno chili, finely chopped
2 tbsp all-purpose flour or rice flour
1 cup vegetable stock, chicken stock, or milk, divided
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 ripe heirloom tomatoes thinly sliced
1 ½ cups grated Monterey Jack cheese, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
1Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
Grease a 2-quart baking dish with Baklouti Olive Oil.
2Toss the grated zucchini with flour and set aside.
3In a large frying pan, cook the onions and chili pepper slowly in 3 tablespoons of Black Garlic & Ginger Olive Oil for 8 to 10 minutes until tender and translucent.
4Raise heat slightly and stir several minutes until very lightly browned. Add uncooked rice and sauté for another two minutes.
5To the still hot pan, add the stock (or liquid of choice) and cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the stock and rice are fully combined. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Assemble casserole:
6Transfer the contents of the frying pan to bowl with zucchini and stir together with remaining 1/2 cup liquid of your choice and all but 1/2 cup of cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
7Transfer to prepared baking dish. Layer the thinly sliced tomatoes over the top of the casserole.
Bake casserole:
8Cover tightly with foil and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until rice within is cooked but not mush.
9Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees. Remove foil, drizzle top with remaining olive oil, sprinkle remaining cheese over tomatoes and bake uncovered until browned and crisp on top, about another 10 to 15 minutes.
10For extra colour, you can run it under the broiler for a minute or so.
Ingredients
2 ½ lbs zucchini, coarsely grated
2 ½ tsp kosher salt
¾ cup plain, uncooked white rice
1 medium onion, minced (about 1 cup)
1 Anaheim or Fresno chili, finely chopped
2 tbsp all-purpose flour or rice flour
1 cup vegetable stock, chicken stock, or milk, divided
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 ripe heirloom tomatoes thinly sliced
1 ½ cups grated Monterey Jack cheese, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
Grease a 2-quart baking dish with Baklouti Olive Oil.
2Toss the grated zucchini with flour and set aside.
3In a large frying pan, cook the onions and chili pepper slowly in 3 tablespoons of Black Garlic & Ginger Olive Oil for 8 to 10 minutes until tender and translucent.
4Raise heat slightly and stir several minutes until very lightly browned. Add uncooked rice and sauté for another two minutes.
5To the still hot pan, add the stock (or liquid of choice) and cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the stock and rice are fully combined. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Assemble casserole:
6Transfer the contents of the frying pan to bowl with zucchini and stir together with remaining 1/2 cup liquid of your choice and all but 1/2 cup of cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
7Transfer to prepared baking dish. Layer the thinly sliced tomatoes over the top of the casserole.
Bake casserole:
8Cover tightly with foil and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until rice within is cooked but not mush.
9Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees. Remove foil, drizzle top with remaining olive oil, sprinkle remaining cheese over tomatoes and bake uncovered until browned and crisp on top, about another 10 to 15 minutes.
10For extra colour, you can run it under the broiler for a minute or so.
Summer Garden Veggie Casserole
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