Posted in - Meatless, Side Dish

Side Dish ‘n’ Saturdays: Mushroom and Wild Rice Hotdish

Mushroom and Wild Rice Hotdish

20131116-002028.jpg

Serves 6

“Hotdish” is the term used for casseroles here in Minnesota, where wild rice is the official state grain. Just the right amount sour cream is blended in for a comforting dish that’s both light and satisfying.

½ cup uncooked wild rice and brown rice blend
1 ½ tsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large stalk celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. button mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
1 cup creamy portobello mushroom soup, such as Imagine
2 T. lemon juice
6 oz. chicken tenders, non breaded
⅓ cup sour cream
2 T. panko breadcrumbs
Parsley for garnish, optional

Prep Day: Bring 1 cup water to a boil in medium saucepan. Stir in rice, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until rice is tender.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until onion is soft. Add mushrooms and lemon zest. Cook 4 to 6 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft and beginning to brown. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Stir in mushroom soup and lemon juice. Remove from heat, and stir in Chik’n Tenders, rice, and sour cream. Spoon into 8-inch-square baking dish, and top with breadcrumbs. Wrap and freeze.

Serve Day: Cook from frozen. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cover casserole with foil, and place on baking sheet. Bake 1 hour, or until filling bubbles and top is golden. Remove foil during last 15 minutes of baking. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Posted in - Meatless, Side Dish

Side Dish ‘n’ Saturdays: Spiked Pumpkin Soup

Spiked Pumpkin Soup

20131020-225310.jpg

1 1/2 cups apple cider
1/2 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/3 cup bourbon
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 (large) 29 oz can pumpkin
1 14oz can vegetable or chicken broth
2 cups heavy cream

Prep Day: Mix all the ingredients cold. Heat gently on the stove top or microwave. This soup may be frozen.

Serve Day: If frozen, thaw and heat gently on stove top till heated through.

Posted in - Meatless, Side Dish

Side Dish’n’ Saturdays: Tarragon Tomato Soup

Tarragon Tomato Soup

20131020-223401.jpg

Serves 4

4 Tbsp unsalted butter
4 Tbsp flour
2 (14.5 oz) can tomato juice
2 cup heavy cream
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 cup roasted yellow bell pepper
6 Tbsp fresh tarragon, finely chopped
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Crème Fraiche and chopped chives to garnish

Prep Day – In a small stock pot melt the butter over moderate heat. Add the flour and cook for a 2 minutes. Whisk in the tomato juice, cream, garlic, sugar, cayenne, salt and pepper. Simmer to thicken about 5 minutes. Add the tarragon and parsley, adjust salt or pepper to taste. Cool and freeze.

Serve Day – Thaw. Heat on stove top till hot. Serve with Crème Fraiche and chopped chives to garnish.