You can’t go wrong with a traditional gratin of roasted summer vegetables. Wanting to add a unique twist to a dish of roasted zucchini, squash, onion and tomato, I served the tender roasted vegetables on top of fluffy rice and added some briny capers, a handful of fresh herbs and a grating of salty Pecorino cheese to the top of it all. My Summer Squash & Tomato Gratin with Rice & Capers is a colorful and hearty vegetarian side dish filled with the flavors of summer.
(To view this recipe, click on the blue title of the blog post above*)
Summer Squash & Tomato Gratin with Rice & Capers
Ingredients:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- Salt and pepper
- 1 large zucchini, cut into ¼-inch rounds
- 2 yellow squash, cut into ½-inch rounds
- 1 yellow onion, cut into half moons
- 2 large tomatoes, cut into ¼-inch slices
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Mixture of fresh herbs (basil, oregano, parsley, mint)
- 2 Tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
- Pecorino cheese, for grating
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the summer squash, onion and tomato slices on the baking sheet in a single layer; drizzle on some olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 25 minutes.
- In the meantime, make the rice. In a medium saucepan bring the chicken stock to a boil, along with a pinch of salt. Stir in the rice, reduce the heat to low, and cover the saucepan. Cook the rice for 18-20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Spray the bottom of a round casserole dish with cooking spray. Spread the cooked rice on the bottom of the casserole dish. Top with the roasted vegetable slices; sprinkle the capers and fresh herbs on top. Grate pecorino cheese over the top of the entire dish. Bake in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Serve warm.
Tagged: capers, fresh herbs, gratin, gratin with rice, onions, pecorino cheese, rice, roasted vegetables, summer squash, tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini
Leave a Reply