Cabbage-roll Stuffing Casserole

Here is an easy, tasty way to use up lots of vegetables such as cabbage, kale, zucchini, chard, onions, peppers, turnips, or any combination thereof: Make a casserole using your favorite stuffing for cabbage rolls. Just shred or chop the vegetables and layer them in a slow cooker with whatever stuffing you choose; if using uncooked rice, be sure to add enough water, tomatoes or sauce (keeping in mind that the vegetables will release moisture). We usually make enough to last two meals.

Here is our recipe for Lebanese-style stuffing:
~1 pound local ground beef or lamb
~2-3 cups of long grain rice (depending on your family’s preference)
~1 Tbsp ground cumin
~1 tsp ground allspice
salt and pepper to taste

Mix the meat, spices and rice. Layer with vegetables and diced canned (or fresh in-season) tomatoes. You may add extra salt between the layers if you like. Slow cook on low all day; serve with plain yogurt. (You can also pressure cook it if you’re in a hurry.)

Dinner Last Night

Since you asked 🙂

We had leek, chard, and garlic sauteed in olive oil on linguini, with mashed butternut squash (baked two days before) on the side. We followed with some crackers.

YUM. I am increasingly a chard fan–of course it helped a lot to have delightful leeks and garlic with it!

Amy

Frittata with Bacon, Fresh Ricotta, and Greens

12 ounces applewood-smoked bacon, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch pieces
1 cup sliced shallots
12 cups (packed; 12 ounces) assorted coarsely chopped greens (such as kale, chard, and mustard greens)
12 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
12 ounces fresh whole-milk ricotta cheese (about 1 3/4 cups)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook bacon in 12-inch-diameter ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Pour bacon drippings into bowl; reserve. Return 2 tablespoons drippings to skillet. Add shallots and sauté over medium heat until golden, about 4 minutes. Add half of greens and toss until beginning to wilt, about 1 minute. Add remaining greens and sauté until wilted, tender, and dry, about 15 minutes. Transfer greens to plate; cool.

Rinse and dry skillet. Beat eggs and salt to blend in large bowl. Whisk in 3/4 cup Parmesan, then greens and half of bacon. Stir in ricotta, leaving some clumps. Heat 1 tablespoon reserved drippings in skillet over medium heat. Pour in egg mixture; spread greens evenly. Sprinkle remaining bacon and 1/4 cup Parmesan over eggs. Cook over medium heat until frittata is just set at edges, about 10 minutes. Transfer to oven and bake until just set, about 20 minutes. Cut around frittata to loosen; slide out onto platter. Let cool 30 minutes. Slice into wedges and serve. Serves 6.

-submitted by Amy Dawson from Bon Appétit | November 2005