Baked Tomato Risotto

I don't know about you, but I love risotto. I fell in love with it some years ago. The only thing I really don't enjoy so much is standing over the stove trying to stir it for what seems like hours on end. Of course, it isn't really that long but to get the arborio rice to absorb the liquid does take some time. I have been looking for a recipe for risotto that isn't quite so labor intensive. Lucky for you all that I found one! This recipe is amazing. The rice turned out so delicious that I ate it every night for about a week. Please try this recipe because I am sure you won't be disappointed. I did have to make a few "adjustments" though. I had to cook this for more like 45 minutes rather than the 30 minutes that the recipe calls for. I wanted to be 100% sure that the rice was soft and chewy not hard and crunchy ~ yuck!

Baked Tomato Risotto

One 28 ounce jar of spaghetti sauce (I used Nature's Promise Parmesan Sauce)
One 14 ounce can of chicken broth (I suggest using low sodium broth or homemade)
2 cups of halved sliced zucchini (I used a can of zucchini)
2 tablespoons of minced fresh basil
One 8 ounce package of sliced mushrooms (I substituted 8 ounces of ground beef)
1 cup arborio rice
1 6 ounce package of shredded Italian cheese blend

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 3 quart casserole (I used a 9 x 13 inch pan) with nonstick spray.

Combine the spaghetti sauce, broth, zucchini, mushrooms and rice in a prepared dish.

Bake, covered for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir casserole.

Cover and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more or until the rice is tender. Remove from oven, sprinkle evenly with cheese.

Bake, uncovered for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Makes 6 servings


Enjoy!

The Creative Cook

AUSTRALIAN DINNER

Dinkum Chili and Rice Salad

I finally made our third international dinner. I was sick with a cold that turned into bronchitis for over three weeks. I am sick of being sick! I am finally starting to feel better! Fortunately, the meat for this recipe was already in my fridge and I didn't want it to go to waste so I had to make the meal. I reduced the amount of meat and hot chile pepper in the chili substantially from the original recipe. I also reduced the amount of rice in the rice salad. You can go with the original amounts or reduce them as I did. It is totally up to you as far as how much food you need to make and how "hot" you like your chili.

Dinkum Chili (Beef)

1/2 lb bacon, packaged (I used Nature's Promise brand and reduced the amount to only 2 slices)

2 tbsp Oil, vegetable (I just cooked the meat in the bacon grease that was already in the pan)

2 Onions, medium, course chopped (I reduced by half)

1 Celery stalk, coarse chopped

1 Bell pepper

2 lbs top sirloin beef, 1" cubes (I reduced by more than half)

1 lb ground beef (reduced to half pound)

1 lb ground pork (I used ground turkey and reduced the amount to half pound)

4 tbsp red chile, hot, ground (I just used a sprinkle or two from my grinder)

3 tbsp red chile, mild ground (I used 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper)

2 garlic cloves, medium, finely chopped

1 tbsp oregano, dried, preferably Mexican (I used 1 tsp)

1 tbsp cumin, ground (I used 1 tsp)

2 12 oz cans beer, preferably Australian (I reduced to 1 can)

1 14-1/2 oz can whole tomatoes

3 tbsp brown sugar (I reduced to 1 tbsp)

1 Boomerang

Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Drain the strips on paper toweling and cut into 1/2" strips, dice and reserve.

Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onions, celery and green pepper and cook until the onions are translucent.

Combine all the beef and pork with the ground chile, garlic, oregano, and cumin. Add this meat-and-spice mixture to the pot. Break up any lumps with a fork and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is evenly browned.

Add the beer, tomatoes, and reserved bacon to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered for 1-1/2 hours. Wave a boomerang over the pot 14 times each hour from this point on. (This is definitely optional adding no noticeable flavor, just a touch of authenticity and fun.) Stir for 3 minutes. Taste, adjust seasonings, and add more beer if desired. Simmer for 2-1/2 hours longer. (I used a crock pot after I browned the meat.)

Add the brown sugar and simmer for 15 minutes longer, vigorously waving the boomerang over the pot.

Makes 8 servings

Aussie Rice Salad

3 cups jasmine rice, cooked

1/2 cup peas

1 onion, chopped

1 small can corn

1 red pepper, diced

some bacon bits

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Allspice

1 tablespoon fresh coriander

Combine rice, vegetables and bacon bits. Mix soy sauce, mayonnaise, Allspice and coriander. Stir sauce into the rice mixture.