You know when you come across a recipe that you're not completely convinced about, but you try it anyways and are actually really positively surprised by the result? Well, that happened to me last night.
I had taken some lean minced beef from the freezer in the morning and then remembered that I had two courgettes that had been sitting in my fridge for over a week and were quickly approaching their beyond hope date. I had bought them to make a pasta sauce that a Portuguese friend of mine once made, involving plenty of garlic, cream and cheese, but since I am trying to get back into running and cooking a little healthier it never got made.
Anyways, what to do with those two ingredients and without having to go shopping? I just googled for recipes using both ingredients and came across this Greek Courgette and Rice Bake on a German cooking site called Marion's Kochbuch. Bingo! I have no idea if it is authentic, and as I said I wasn't completely convinced by just looking at the recipe, but I had everything in and got a chance to use my courgettes and minced beef and with small additions and alterations such as garlic (I just couldn't help myself), it turned into a simple and quick weeknight meal full of flavour, that I will definitely make again.
Greek Courgette and Rice Bake (serves 3-4)
125gr rice
1tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped finely
250gr lean minced beef
200gr tomatoes, peeled and quartered
300gr courgette, sliced medium thick
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1tbsp oregano
1tbsp thyme
salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
200gr feta cheese
Cook the rice according to the instruction on the packet, but use vegetable stock instead of water for extra flavour.
Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the onions and minced beef. Fry until the beef is browned, about 10-14 Minutes.
Preheat your oven to 200C/Gas 6.
Add the tomatoes, courgettes, garlic and herbs and cook on a moderate heat for another seven minutes or so. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the rice and stir until everything is well combined. If the mix is very dry you can add a couple of tablespoons of water.
Place into an oven proof dish and crumble the feta cheese over the top.
Bake for 10 minutes in the middle of the oven.
Enjoy.
I had taken some lean minced beef from the freezer in the morning and then remembered that I had two courgettes that had been sitting in my fridge for over a week and were quickly approaching their beyond hope date. I had bought them to make a pasta sauce that a Portuguese friend of mine once made, involving plenty of garlic, cream and cheese, but since I am trying to get back into running and cooking a little healthier it never got made.
Anyways, what to do with those two ingredients and without having to go shopping? I just googled for recipes using both ingredients and came across this Greek Courgette and Rice Bake on a German cooking site called Marion's Kochbuch. Bingo! I have no idea if it is authentic, and as I said I wasn't completely convinced by just looking at the recipe, but I had everything in and got a chance to use my courgettes and minced beef and with small additions and alterations such as garlic (I just couldn't help myself), it turned into a simple and quick weeknight meal full of flavour, that I will definitely make again.
Greek Courgette and Rice Bake (serves 3-4)
125gr rice
1tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped finely
250gr lean minced beef
200gr tomatoes, peeled and quartered
300gr courgette, sliced medium thick
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1tbsp oregano
1tbsp thyme
salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
200gr feta cheese
Cook the rice according to the instruction on the packet, but use vegetable stock instead of water for extra flavour.
Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the onions and minced beef. Fry until the beef is browned, about 10-14 Minutes.
Preheat your oven to 200C/Gas 6.
Add the tomatoes, courgettes, garlic and herbs and cook on a moderate heat for another seven minutes or so. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the rice and stir until everything is well combined. If the mix is very dry you can add a couple of tablespoons of water.
Place into an oven proof dish and crumble the feta cheese over the top.
Bake for 10 minutes in the middle of the oven.
Enjoy.
