Monday, August 29, 2011

Cheesy Zucchini Rice


I feel kind of left out when I hear my friends and other bloggers "complain" about their plethora of zucchini.  I don't have any planted, and we didn't join a CSA this year, so whatever zucchini I have, I've bought.  So in order to fit in with all my blogging friends, I buy 5-6 zucchini a week just so I can lament my overabundance and try to find fun new recipes to make with it. :-)

So far this summer we've had grilled zucchini countless times, sauteed shredded zucchini, baked zucchini fries.... I still really want to make zucchini cupcakes, so maybe those will be my next order of business. I served this rice alongside the Honey-Dijon Chicken Tenders, and now this zucchini rice has now become a summer staple.  It's an incredibly quick and easy side dish.  The rice is cooked (in chicken or vegetable broth for the most flavor!), and zucchini and cheese are shredded.  After the rice cooks, the zucchini is added to the pot and steams for a few minutes.  You mix in the cheese, and voila!  Instant and delicious side dish.  This is also incredibly versatile, and can be served with pretty much any main dish - grilled chicken or pork, fish, steak, shrimp....  Or, mix in some extra veggies and serve it as a vegetarian entree (that's how I enjoyed the leftovers).  Feel free to mix up the cheese - I loved sharp cheddar, but I think pretty much any cheese would be delicious.  However you decide to make it, just make it - before zucchini season is over!

Cheesy Zucchini Rice
adapted from Comfort of Cooking, originally from Real Simple
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 Tbs butter
  • 1 medium zucchini, grated on the large holes of a cheese grater
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
  • salt and pepper, to taste
Bring the broth to a boil in a medium saucepan.  Stir in the rice, cover, and reduce heat to low.

Cook about 20 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Remove from heat, add the butter and zucchini, and cover.  Allow to stand 5 minutes, then stir to incorporate.  Stir in the cheese, season with salt and pepper, and serve.


30 comments:

Becki's Whole Life said...

I'm always looking for different ways to cook rice and this sounds great! I love zucchini, especially shredded like this. I will have to try this...although I will need to get some at the farm stand as I don't have any in my garden either:-(.

Cate said...

I don't have a garden, but I've been buying a lot of zucchini because it's sooo cheap at the farmers market right now. Can't wait to try this!

Gloria - The Ginger Snap Girl said...

You're not alone! I buy my zucchini too. Every week...because I love it so. This rice looks beautiful with the little flecks of green. It's always nice to find new ways to use up one of my favorite veggies. Thanks for sharing!

Nicole, RD said...

I'm not a huge rice fan because I find it really bland...but with cheese and zucchini? YUM! I love the color the zucchini adds, too!

Kara said...

This looks fantastic! I am trying it tonight!

Rachel said...

This looks great! I'm not a huge zucchini fan but disguised with rice and cheese, I might have to give this a try. :)

Jessica @Sunny Side Up said...

I was just looking at this recipe on Comfort of Cooking last night! I love new twists on rice. I also love zucchini so this is right up my alley!

Jen said...

my husband isn't the biggest fan of plain rice so this looks like an awesome way to mix it up a little. yum!

Alida said...

This sounds delicious! I've been trying to come up with a toddler-friendly rice that's more than just cheesy rice. Definitely giving this a try. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I dont have a giant mountain of zucchini either! I need to try this. Yum!

Natalie said...

ha I'm totally in the same boat as you in regards to zucchini---I think I need to grow my own next year bc I would like an overabundance :)

ErinsFoodFiles said...

This sounds really delicious!

sarah louise said...

so glad you posted this - I had a half a zucchini left over from my csa pack this week and didn't know what to do with it. i substituted the rice with quinoa and added parsley and chickpeas. it's delicious!

Chelsea said...

Oh gosh, this sounds super tasty! Zucchini + cheese does not exist enough in my life.

Michelle said...

I can't wait to make this! I've been using a lot of zucchini this summer too, mainly because it's an easy veggie to sneak into my husband's food.

Unknown said...

I have been buying all of my zucchini too, but I just told my husband the other day that I want to plant some next year :) This looks like really great comfort food, can't wait to try it!

Marie-Eve said...

Tried last night and it's super good.

Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) said...

I planted a huge crop of zucchini this year... I didn't get any. I was so sad. But I'm going to buy some at the farmer's market this weekend to make this tasty side! My mouth is watering!

Lauren said...

This sounds really delicious! Thank you for sharing. I'm always looking for ways to get my (somewhat picky) husband to eat more vegetables, and I think this will do the trick!

Stefanie said...

Cheesy rice is so good and zucchini just makes it better! Love the colors and how simple it is

sarah said...

i made this over the weekend. SO GOOD! thanks for sharing the recipe!

Unknown said...

Has anyone tried this using instant rice? I have an overabundance of that in my cupboards and am reluctant to spend money on a different rice when I have so much. I'm thinking I would just have to adjust the rice/broth to shorter?

Josie said...

Bamsuddenimpact, I haven't tried it with instant rice, but I see no reason why you couldn't use the same method, just adjust the cooking time to the package directions for your rice, and mix in the cheese and zucchini in at the end, per the recipe.

Kristie Saumure said...

We loved this recipe. And for the leftovers, we added chickpeas, so it made a great vegetarian main! Thanks for posting.

K said...

Made this tonight - so easy and a great way to use up a lone zucchini! :) Thanks!

The Farmer's Wife said...
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The Farmer's Wife said...
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Ana, aka Lariah said...

I made this for dinner last night and my 2.5 year old couldn't get enough! Thanks! I used yellow squash and cooked the rice with a base of onions and garlic, then "toasted" the rice a bit, then added hot chicken stock.

robbininrichmond said...

So, I made this last night and it was delish! Tonight, I tried a variation on the same theme using frozen broccoli (steamed in the microwave) and quinoa. Also delish~ Thanks!

robbininrichmond said...

So, I made this last night and it was delish! Tonight, I tried a variation on the same theme using frozen broccoli (steamed in the microwave) and quinoa. Also delish~ Thanks!

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