Crunchy Buttered Rice With Carrots And Parmesan Zucchini Food

CARROT AND ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the inside of a 2-quart casserole dish.
• Boil carrots in a pot of lightly salted water until slightly tender, about 10 minutes. Add zucchini and onion; boil until zucchini is tender, 5 to 10 more minutes. Drain.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk flour into melted butter forming a paste, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir half-and-half into paste, stirring constantly, until mixed. Add bouillon cubes and stir until dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Add Colby-Jack cheese, mustard, and dill; whisk until cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in vegetables. Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish.
• Mix bread crumbs with 1/4 cup melted butter in a bowl until butter is fully incorporated. Sprinkle over top of casserole.
• Bake casserole in the preheated oven until bubbling and topping is browned, about 45 minutes.

CRISPY STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a baking tray or sheet with non stick cooking oil spray.
• Arrange zucchini halves, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Set aside.
• Mix together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley and garlic in a small bowl.
• Pour in the melted butter, season with ¾ teaspoon salt and ⅓ teaspoon pepper (or to taste). Mix the ingredients together until the breadcrumbs absorb the butter (about 40 seconds).
• Spoon the mixture over each zucchini half, to evenly cover. Spray the topping with a little cooking oil spray.
• Bake for 20 minutes in the hot oven until the crust is golden and the zucchini halves are cooked through.
• Broil for a further 5 minutes on medium heat to crisp the topping.
• Garnish with parsley and serve as a side accompaniment to any main dish.

BUTTERED PARMESAN RICE

Steps:

• In large saucepan, bring water to a boil.
• Add rice, stir, reduce heat to low.
• Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
• In skillet, melt butter until lightly browned.
• Mix rice and parmesan cheese.
• Place in serving bowl.
• Drizzle butter over rice.
• Sprinkle with parsley.

ZUCCHINI BOATS WITH PARMESAN CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a silpat or or aluminum foil.
• Mix together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic, and black pepper in a small bowl. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until evenly mixed throughout. Allow to sit for 5 minutes to absorb the butter.
• Trim the root end off the zucchini. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. With a tablespoon, scoop out the center of each half to remove the seeds. You should end up with a well in the center if each. Place the scooped zucchini halves, cut side up, on the baking sheet.
• Fill the center of each well with the crumble mixture, packing down and covering the top of each zucchini half. Sprinkle some extra parmesan cheese on top and drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake for 35 - 45 minutes in the hot oven until the crust is golden brown and crispy and the zucchini halves are fork tender.
• Slice each half in 4 pieces and serve warm. Spoon any fallen crumble on top for extra crunch.

CRUNCHY BUTTERED RICE WITH CARROTS AND PARMESAN ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Melt 1 Tbsp of butter in a large skillet (with a tightly-fitting lid).
• Add the onion and saute' until tender, stirring, which will take about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the broth, cover skillet, and heat to boiling.
• When boiling, stir in the rice, diced carrot, and garlic, then cover tightly and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.
• When rice has cooked for 15 minutes, melt the remaining 3 Tbsp of butter, uncover the rice and drizzle 2 Tbsp of the butter evenly over the top.
• Turn the heat to high, and using a large spoon or spatula, press down on the rice.
• Spread a layer of the zucchini slices over the top of the rice; drizzle with the remaining Tbsp of butter; sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, then the grated Parmesan cheese.
• Cover the skillet tightly and cook over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes- the aim is that the layer of rice on the bottom of the pan is toasted a rich golden brown; if you have a gas stove as opposed to electric, times and temperatures may vary to achieve the desired texture.
• As the rice is cooking, you will be able to smell the aroma: you can lift the lid and the rice at the edge of the skillet to check the progress.
• Not all the rice will become crunchy- there will be a nice mixture of textures and tastes; serve a bit of the crunchy rice layer with every spoonful.
• Makes 4 to 6 servings.