Zucchini Corn Black Bean Tomato Casserole Food

REFRIED BEAN, ZUCCHINI AND CORN GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Oil or butter a 2-quart baking dish or gratin dish.
• Refry beans: Drain off about 1/2 cup of liquid from beans, retaining it in a separate bowl to use later for moistening beans, should they dry out. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large, heavy nonstick frying pan and add ground cumin and chili. Cook, stirring over medium heat, for about a minute, until the spices begin to sizzle and cook. Add beans and optional chipotle. Fry beans, stirring and mashing with the back of a spoon, until they thicken and form a thin crust on the bottom of the pan. Stir up crust and mix into the beans. Cook until beans are thick but not dry, about 10 minutes. Add liquid you saved from the beans if they seem too dry. Taste refried beans and adjust salt (they probably won't need any as the broth reduces when you refry them). Spread in an even layer in the baking dish. (Note: If you use canned beans, do not drain. The frying process will go more quickly.)
• Clean and dry skillet. Heat over medium heat and add olive oil. Add onion and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add a pinch of salt and garlic and cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add squash, oregano, salt and pepper, and turn up heat slightly. Cook, stirring often or tossing in pan, until squash is translucent and tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Spread in an even layer over the beans.
• Combine corn and milk in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes, until corn is just tender. Stir in cornmeal and minced serrano, add salt to taste, and continue to simmer until mixture is thick, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in grated cheese. Remove from heat and spread in an even layer over squash. Sprinkle crumbled cheese over top. Dot with butter or drizzle on oil.
• Place in oven and bake 25 minutes, until bubbly and crumbled cheese is lightly browned. Serve hot or warm.

FRESH CORN AND ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Scrape the kernels from the corn. There should be about 2 1/2 cups.
• Trim off the ends of the zucchini. Cut the zucchini into half-inch cubes. There should be about 2 cups.
• Core, seed and remove the veins from the yellow pepper. Cut the pepper into half-inch pieces. There should be about 1 1/2 cups.
• Heat the butter in a casserole and add the onions and pepper pieces.
• Cook, stirring, about 2 minutes and add the zucchini and corn. Cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the cream, salt and pepper. Cover and cook 3 minutes. Add the basil and stir to blend. Serve.

BLACK BEAN TORTILLA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the onions, peppers, tomatoes, picante sauce, garlic and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in the beans. , Spread a third of the mixture in a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer with four tortillas and 2/3 cup cheese. Repeat layers; top with remaining beans., Cover and bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with toppings.