Saturday, August 28, 2010

You’re All Invited…

For dinner, i.e.

And if you can’t make it, then here’s what we’re having and how I prepared it…just in case you might want to give it a try.  It’s easy-peasy and ever so yummy.

Prep time: About 40 minutes…depending on how quickly you chop.

Cooking time:  About an hour and a half at 350 F.

What’s it called?  I don’t know but I call it Stuffed Zucchini…done my way.Blog_Divider_shabbymissjenndesig-1

Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

Either 1 large zucchini sliced in half from end to end or two ‘pat-pan’ round ones.

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Cut the top off as you would when carving a pumpkin and scoop out the innards.

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Gather together all the ingredients…brown or whole grain rice, diced tomatoes, small portabella mushrooms, 1 pound of lean ground beef, about a 1/4 cup of chopped onions and a 1/2 a pound of bacon.

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Cook the rice according to the package directions and allow to cool while you prepare the rest of the filling.

Cut up the bacon in to small pieces and sauté until almost done.

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While the bacon is cooking, chop the onions…

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And slice the mushrooms…

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Then add both to the bacon and cook until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms just softened.

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Remove from the pan and transfer to a holding dish.

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Cook the ground beef until done and drain.

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Then transfer everything to a large bowl, including the cooked brown or whole grain rice and the drained diced tomatoes.

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Salt and pepper to taste and stir thoroughly until mixed.  I prefer not to use salt.  I chose not to add any other spices because the diced tomatoes that I used had garlic and basil already added.

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Spray your pan with Pam.

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Set the zucchinis in the pan… 

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Then pour a can of tomato sauce into the bottom of the pan.

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Fill the zucchinis with a generous amount of the stuffing…

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And top with grated mozzarella cheese.

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Cover or tent loosely with aluminum foil…

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And bake covered in a 350F oven for 1 1/2 hours.

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Remove from the oven, uncover, add a bit more cheese and then bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese turns a golden brown.

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The table is set, and dinner will be around 5:30 p.m.

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Oh wait…and there’s German chocolate cake for dessert!

Shall we set another place…or places?

Kaaren ♥

40 comments:

Darlene said...

YUMMY - we're on our way! This sounds fabulous, Kaaren - a must do in my kitchen and soon!

Sheila said...

That sure sounds tasty and I will just have to give that a try as I love zucchini .The cake sounds wonderful too , yeah I am on my way .

Unknown said...

I don't know which I would drool over more, the zucchini your way, or that gorgeous quilt.

Unknown said...

I'm heading across the Atlantic right now!!

Natitxu said...

Gracias Karen, una cena estupenda, yo he traido galletas, tienes la receta en mi blog. Besos

Anonymous said...

This sounds absolutely yummy!

Anonymous said...

It look just lovely! I will bring the wine!

Cheers,
Bobbie

Quilter Raised in the South said...

looks wonderful, and the music is great too, my son just came over and turned it up (sha boom)

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh it smells so good, I am on my way, hope it does not get cold before I get there!!

Denise :) said...

Oh my -- I just ate lunch not too long ago, but reading through your post made my stomach growl -- it sounds *very* good! :)

Allie said...

Sounds wonderful - leave the light one for me!

Gayle said...

Mmmmmmm - I just picked zuchinni from the garden this morning - I'll have to give this recipe a try! Thanks for sharing!

Taryn said...

Looks so delicious but will be best of all when on the lovely table topped with the quilt and set amongst your beautiful decor.

Marie said...

I'll be there. I love stuffed zuchini (and stuffed peppers and stuffed cabbage). I'm going to try your recipe for all of them.

Hugs - Marie

Karen said...

oh my...it is 5:20pm (here)!
I'll try not to run any red lights and will be right over. Do start with out me if I'm a tad late!
Everything including the atmosphere and the beautiful table is putting a major smile on my face. Such a nice invite *smiles*
Karen

Marsha B said...

It sounds wonderful, but anything would taste great served on that beautiful table. The quilt is so pretty!

barb's creations said...

Yes please!! I haven't done stuffed zuchinni for a while.I actually use the long zuchinni and that style of stuffing (except the soup) and then wrap it in pastry and then cook in the oven,yummo.Must go get some zuchunni for tea tonight lol :) Barb.

marina said...

Looks Yum. Oh but not on that table topper! I would have a heart attack if I dropped some.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

I'll be there! Sounds yummy.

Elyte said...

Thank you Kaaren, count me in! What type of wine do you prefer? I could bring a red and a white. Don't know if I could eat over that lovely quilt though, I can make a bit of a mess with my enthusiastic approach to delicious food. Bon Appetit Kaaren, or should I say Julia?

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Oh shucks - I don't do mushrooms so I will pass on dinner this time! :-) Besides, I'd spill on that quilt and feel awful! LOL But I might try that sans the shrooms!

So glad you FINALLY got the magazine. I am sorry it took so long though. I have nothing to do with subscriptions or shipping or any of the business end for that matter but I have seen Kristine explain that they go out from the printer at the same time (at least if you ordered before the original cut off) and it is the Post Office that determines how long it takes to ship. It has been frustrating to us too but it happens with other magazines too. I get my Country Sampler weeks after some of my friends and I am in the states. Seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. I hope the next one doesn't take so long!

It got warm here this afternoon too and we are having those nast temps for several days as well ! PHOOEY!

Have a great Sunday! HUGS!

Patty said...

Sounds and looks delicious!

Julie said...

oooh looks so yummy kaaren! now i hope you saved me some of that german chocolate cake?
xox

Stitched With Prayer said...

Oh my gosh!!! I missed dinner Kaaren. Had I checked in earlier, I would have been there with bells on...don't have pierced ears though so I'm not sure where I would have hung the bells...ah well. I was Ummm wondering...did you maybe have any cake left over?
What a great recipe! I don't have zuchinni this year but I'll just bet it would be great with any summer squash. Winter squash too for that matter. It would also make a great stuffing for bell peppers don't you think? I was wondering what the pattern is for the table topper in this post. Just wonderful! Hugs...

Stephanie Hughes said...

Kaaren I am going to have to make this! It looks wonderful. Stephanie

sunny said...

Sounds delish! I'll be picking up the ingredients tomorrow for sure.

Pat said...

Your recipe sounds great. I will have to give it a try.

Pat said...

Your recipe sounds great. I will have to give it a try.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I do very similar with zuchinni, but instead of mushrooms I mince red peppers; like the idea of the pat/pan squash instead

Janet said...

Yummo, I love it when we get invited to dinner. This one would work great for stuffing capsicum too. I can smell it all from here. So where's the recipe for the cake??

Abby and Stephanie said...

YUM! And I'll just bet it all tastes better eating from such a pretty table.

Anonymous said...

hum miam !it sounds very good .
It would be a great pleasure to eat your zucchini on such a beautiful tablecloth, but I 'd afraid of making a stain ! Enjoy your meal !
best regards from France

Cindy said...

Looks like I'm a day late...again.

Okay, is there any German Chocolate cake left? I don't need much.

Anonymous said...

Wow, this looks so yummy! I will have to try this soon! Love your blog! ~Take Care

Pat said...

Sounds wonderful. Set another plate please. I can be there before 5:30 and I will bring the wine!!!

Stina Blomgren said...

Can you hold irt warm.... I am on my way!!!! Just give a few more minutes.... ohh.. cant wait ... and chocolate.. yummy!!!

Corky said...

I can't wait to try it! Is that a type of zucchinni? I only have had the long ones, but I think my local stores carry the one shown in your picture. And, i love squash - all kinds, so I'm going to try it soon. Thanks!

Elzaan said...

That sounds and looks devine! Back in South Africa, we do the same and best of all you can even use a Butternut squash.

Kathleen said...

It looks just delicious...I also love the quilt ....your home is very pretty...

Nanette Merrill said...

Yummy! Hey. I have those dishes too.