Monday, February 25, 2013

Veggie Burrito Bake

1 large clove garlic, minced
1 medium onion, minced
3/4 cup uncooked rice (white or brown)
3/4 tsp. turmeric
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
16 cups loosely packed fresh spinach, torn
1 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups cooked black beans
1 tbsp. chili powder (optional)
1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded
flour tortillas

Saute the 1 minced garlic clove, onion, uncooked rice and turmeric in a saucepan until the onion is tender. Stir often. Add the broth and mix well. Simmer covered, until liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes for white rice, 40 minutes for brown rice. Remove from heat, fluff with fork and set aside. While the rice is cooking, heat 1 tbsp. oil in a fry pan on high heat. Add remaining garlic and the spinach, one handful at a time as it wilts, adding a little water as needed to prevent sticking. Spinach should be moist, with loose leaves, not all clumped together. In a bowl, combine black beans and chili powder.

Layer the ingredients as follows in a 2-quart baking dish: half of the spinach, all of the rice, all of the beans, remaining spinach. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top. Cover and bake until sizzling 45 minutes

Blueberry Crumb Bars


1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cold unsalted butter (2 sticks or 8 ounces)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
Zest and juice of one lemon
4 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup white sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup sugar, 3 cups flour, and baking powder. Mix in salt and lemon zest. Use a fork or pastry cutter to blend in the butter and egg. Dough will be crumbly. Pat half of dough into the prepared pan.
3. In another bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Gently mix in the blueberries. Sprinkle the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Crumble remaining dough over the berry layer.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. (This took an extra 10 to 15 minutes in my oven.) Cool completely before cutting into squares.