Wednesday, 10 February 2016

Dinner tonight: Zucchini Slice

Tonight's dinner in our house was Zucchini Slice. An oldie but a goodie. This recipe was given to me by my Thermomix consultant. I think she originally posted it on her Facebook page and over the years it has become a family favourite. The TM makes this such a quick and easy meal and it is quite healthy and economical - especially when you are given home-grown zucchinis like I was this week! I think there would be many variations to this recipe, my tweak is adding a can of kidney beans. You could easily change the bacon to chorizo or smoked salmon, or add different types of cheese (Nina suggests halumi, I reckon this would be fantastic). You can also use normal plain flour, however the brown rice flour works so well and it is a great healthy option.

Ingredients:
100g brown rice or 100g plain flour
100g cheese, roughly cubed ('normal' tasty cheese is fine)
350g zucchini, roughly chopped into large pieces
1 onion, peeled and quartered 
1 clove garlic
Fresh herbs (I usually grab a small handful of whatever's in the garden - parsley, sage, oregano)
About 150g bacon, I usualy use shortcut 
5 large or 6 small eggs
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
50g olive oil
Salt and pepper

Method:
If using brown rice, place in TM bowl and grind on speed 9 for 1 minute. Set aside in seperate bowl. 
Place cheese in TM bowl, grate 3-5 seconds on speed 6. Set aside (can add to rice flour). 
Place zucchini in TM bowl, grate for 3 seconds on speed 5. Pulse on turbo once or twice to ensure zucchini is grated evenly. Set aside (add to other ingredients).
Place onion, garlic, bacon and herbs in TM bowl and chop for 4 seconds on speed 6. Sauté for 3 minutes at 100 degrees on speed 1.
Add all other ingredients and mix for about 10 seconds on reverse speed 3. This will chop your kidney beans up a bit, but personally I like this. Don't overmix or they will turn to mush. If you prefer your beans left whole add them after this step and then just slowly stir them in.

Pour mixture into a greased lamington tin or similar dish. Bake for 40 minutes at 180 degrees (until golden brown).

Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a green salad. I particularly love this with some fresh chilli sprinkled on top!