Zucchini Casserole Funeral Food |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 55 Minutes |
Ready In: 55 Minutes Servings: 10 |
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Mom's favorite dish to take to a grieving family, frozen for them to use at a later date. A good use for zucchini when you are faced with an abundance of the vegetable. Comfort food and filling. Ingredients:
6 small to medium zucchini, scrubbed sliced in coins |
1/2 tablespoon of oil |
1 medium onion, chopped medium |
2 cloves of garlic, minced |
1 tablespoon of worchestershire sauce |
1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano |
1/2 teaspoon of dried basil |
8 to 10 passes of a fresh nutmeg on a microplane or rasp |
2 tbsp. of flour |
1/4 cup of beef broth |
1 lb. of ground sirloin or chuck (drain it well) |
2 lbs. of small curd cottage cheese, drained well |
some grated lemon rind |
1 beaten egg |
1/2 teaspoon of pepper |
1/2 teaspoon of salt |
2 tablespoons of chopped parsley |
8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese |
Directions:
1. Prep veggies as directed above.
2. Nuke the sliced zucchini in a microwave safe bowl for 50 percent power for 2 minutes. (You only want to par-cook them, alternately you could blanch them in boiling water for 40 seconds and then plunge in ice water.) Cool and reserve.
3. Drain the cottage cheese in a coffee filter lined colander in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Mix in a beaten egg and salt/pepper, parsley and lemon rind. Reserve.
4. Brown ground beef and DRAIN THE FAT VERY WELL.
5. Remove from pan.
6. Add oil to pan and saute the onion and garlic, saute til soft and limp. Add seasonings, including worchestershire and cook for a 45 seconds to a minute. Add flour and cook stirring constantly. Add hamburger back to the pan and mix well. Add the broth and cook over low heat until it thickens.
7. Assembly:
8. In a 13 x 9 pan, layer a single layer of zucchini coins, side to side as full as you can. cover with the ground beef mixture. Top entire pan with the cottage cheese mixture. Top with another layer of zucchini coins, side to side to cover the whole pan. Can cover tightly and freeze at this point. (I do this for the families we take it to in a double layered disposable foil pan, tightly covered in foil and a baggie of shredded cheese on the side..) Instructions for cooking:
9. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and bake for 55 minutes in 350 degree oven 40 minutes covered, 15 not covered. Pull out of oven and top generously with the grated cheddar cheese and continue to heat until the cheddar is bubbly and hot, probably another five minutes or so.. Let rest at least 10 minutes to set up before serving.
10. If cooking directly without freezing, cook 20 minutes covered, 10 uncovered and five minutes with the cheese.
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