Cheesy Vegetable Rice Bake with Yogurt Soy Sauce Dressing
Ingredients:
For the Rice Bake:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup rice (uncooked)
- 1 head of broccoli (cut into florets)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 carrot (peeled and grated or finely chopped)
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 clove of garlic (minced)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Vegetable oil (for sautéing)
- A handful of cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 100 grams mozzarella cheese (shredded)
For the Yogurt Soy Sauce Dressing:
- 4 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- Fresh dill (chopped, to taste)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, to taste)
Steps to Make Cheesy Vegetable Rice Bake with Yogurt Soy Sauce Dressing:
Step 1: Prepare the Rice Start by cooking the rice according to the package instructions. Use 1 cup of uncooked rice and 2 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, add the rice, lower the heat, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and all the water is absorbed (about 15-18 minutes). Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and set it aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables While the rice is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Heat a little vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and carrot to the pan, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Then, add the chopped bell pepper and broccoli florets, and continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still have some crunch. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Once the vegetables are done, remove them from the heat.
Step 3: Prepare the Egg Mixture In a large bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them together with a pinch of salt and pepper. The eggs will help bind the rice and vegetables together during baking. Add the cooked rice to the egg mixture and stir to combine.
Step 4: Assemble the Rice Bake Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a medium-sized baking dish with a little vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Spread half of the rice and egg mixture into the bottom of the baking dish. Next, evenly spread the sautéed vegetables over the rice layer. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the vegetables. Add the remaining rice and egg mixture over the cheese and vegetables, spreading it out evenly.
Step 5: Top with Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top layer of the rice mixture. Finally, scatter the halved cherry tomatoes across the top for added freshness and color.
Step 6: Bake the Rice Dish Place the assembled rice bake in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. The eggs should be fully set, and the bake should have a firm yet moist texture.
Step 7: Prepare the Yogurt Soy Sauce Dressing While the rice bake is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, soy sauce, chopped dill, and parsley. This dressing adds a refreshing, tangy flavor to the dish and balances the richness of the cheese and eggs.
Step 8: Serve Once the rice bake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Slice the bake into portions and serve each piece with a drizzle of the yogurt soy sauce dressing. Garnish with extra fresh herbs like dill or parsley for an extra touch of flavor.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving, based on 4 servings):
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugars: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg