TOMATO AND COURGETTE RICE, Vegetarian, Frugal

MAKING A VIRTUE OF NECESSITY

Tomato and Courgette Rice

Mediterranean rice dishes are delightfully satisfying. This one, Rice with Tomatoes and Courgettes, was developed to use up tinned tomatoes and soft salad tomatoes. Firm, deep green courgette provide texture and colour contrast.    

The rice perfectly complemented succulent roast chicken.  

It will also work well as a more expensive Vegetarian main course with goats or feta cheese.

Cost: min. £1.50
Feeds: 3-5

Ingred:
5 oz/150gm basmati or long-grain rice, washed
1 small onion or the whites of 5-6 spring onions in fine dice
1 clove garlic, grated
1/2 390 gm container chopped tomatoes and basil, pureed
coarse black pepper and salt
2-3 tomatoes (soft ones are fine) in 1/4 inch/1/2 cm cubes 
1 med courgette, top and tailed, in 1/4 inch/1/2 cm cubes 

Method:

1. Add enough water or stock to pureed tomatoes to come up to the level of 360 ml
2. Spray the base of a heavy bottomed pan (with tight fitting lid) with olive oil.  On med heat, saute onions 5 mins.
3. Add garlic, stir
4. Add drained washed rice and tomato/water/stock liquid
5. Stir once.  Bring to the boil; reduce to med heat and allow to bubble gently until the liquid is nearly gone.
6. Reduce heat to low; wrap lid in clean tea towel or rinsed j-cloth and clamp it on.  Leave to cook.    
7. After 10-15 minutes, rice should be nearly done.  Mix fresh chopped tomatoes and courgettes and spread over surface of rice. Push veg below surface with spatula or spoon.  
8. Return lid.  After 5 min, check the vegetables are done and rice is cooked and dry.  If not, leave for another 5 minutes.
9. Stir to amalgamate and check seasoning.  Add plenty of black pepper and lightly salt.
10. Serve in a warmed dish.

Tip: If serving as a vegetarian main course, sliced raw mushrooms and trimmed green beans could be added to the rice with the tomatoes and courgettes.     


This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.