Mixed crowd at a summer barbecue and want a fun veggie alternative? Bake this vegetarian casserole as you grill your meats. This is a fun, satisfying main dish for those who are looking for veg, and they won't be jealous of the grill. And watch out - meat eaters will dig in as appetizer, so don't put it out too much earlier than the grilled meats!
1/4 cup wheat berries
2 Tbsp pearl barley
1 onion, diced, about 1 cup
2 stalks celery
1 bulb fennel, diced (optional)
1 carrot, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
dash red pepper flakes, to taste
1 can seasoned Black Beans in sauce
1 eggplant, cubed
1/2 lb favorite grated meltable cheese, such as Pepper Jack
about 4 cups nacho chips, 1/3-1/2 lb
2 tomatoes, diced
1 English cucumber, cubed
palmful fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
Bring 3-4 cups water to boil in a medium pot and salt generously. Stir in the wheat berries and the barley and return to a gentle boil, stirring often. Reduce to a high simmer, just almost boiling, and cook about 30-45 minutes, until the grains are cooked, but still al dente.
Meanwhile, sauté the onion, celery, fennel and carrot in a large skillet in a bit of olive oil. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, until the veggies soften up and begin to brown or caramelize. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook another 2-3 minutes.
As the veggies simmer, heat a few tablespoons olive oil in a large non-stick skillet until smoking hot. Carefully tip in the eggplant and stir until all the oil is distributed. Sauté the eggplant about 8-10 minutes, over medium-high heat until it browns up nicely.
Preheat oven broiler. When the grains are cooked, drain well. Fold into the carrot mixture.
Add the beans with their sauce. Gently heat mixture through.
Tip this hot grain mixture into an oiled 9x13-inch casserole and cover with half the cheese. Nestle in the nacho chips and then top with the eggplant.
Follow this by topping with the tomatoes and cucumbers and the remaining cheese.
Broil for about 5 minutes, at least 3-4 inches from the elements, until the cheese is melted and the chips begin to brown. Watch the dish carefully as it is easy to burn the chips in a broiler.
Top casserole with the cilantro leaves and serve with your favorite salsa.
Serves 4-6 as a main course.
No comments:
Post a Comment