Last night I made Jamie Oliver‘s Courgette Gratin for the first time, or as Australians would call it “zucchinis with baked rice and cheese”. Surprisingly I followed the recipe and measured things out, well mostly. This courgette bake is delicious!
The exception was that I attempted to make the dish a bit healthier by substituting basmati rice with brown rice. I’d like to say this was a health choice but honestly, it was the only rice I had in the pantry. It was more a matter of being lazy. The final dish would have tasted better and been less soggy if I knew that brown rice cooks differently to basmati rice.
The lesson I learntand want to pass on to you for your next healthy meal, is that brown rice is delicious. BUT, it takes more time to cook than white rice, and is less absorbent. So next time I make this dish I will cook the rice for a little longer and in significantly less stock.
If you’re wondering, courgette gratin is also delicious cold for a quick and easy healthy lunch the next day.
Basic cooking instructions
Courgette Gratin Recipe
- Slowly fry 2 thinly diced onions in lots of oil for about 15 minutes.
- Add 90 grams of brown rice to the pan and stir.
- Throw in 4 sliced courgettes (Aussies call them zucchinis, but I was introduced to this vegetable in France so I naturally call it a courgette).
- Just cover with stock. I used chicken stock but vegetable stock would work. Simmer and stir until the courgettes are moist. If you don’t love the word ‘moist’, you should commit to adjusting to me using it regularly when I’m describing food.
- Take the pan off the heat, stir in 3 tablespoons of creme fraiche (thickened cream will do the job) and 100 grams of cheddar cheese.
- Place the ingredients in an oven safe dish, sprinkle with some more cheese and bake for approximately 40 minutes.
- Enjoy a delicious, simple, healthy, inexpensive dish.
Naturally, courgette gratin tastes even better if you can make it with organic home grown courgettes.
You can find other delicious meals I’ve made like Ramen with Miso Glazed Chicken and Kale that meat lovers will fight you for.
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