Sausage Zucchini Rice

Tonight we had my brother and his girlfriend over for dinner. I wasn't sure what was on the Menu when I told them they could come for dinner, but we picked a good one! This turned out better than I expected. The sausage and parmesan cheese gave it so much flavor. I used a mixture of brown and white rice, but you could use what you have on hand. The original recipe called for regular long grain rice, but I had instant so that's what I used and how I wrote the recipe. When you find sausage on sale for a good price stock up and keep it in the freezer. I defrosted mine in cold water in the sink tonight. This made enough for us all to have a bowl, plus I have lunch for tomorrow and Chaz was able to take some home with him. If you have these ingredients give this one a whirl.



1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
salt and pepper
1 cup instant brown rice
1/2 cup instant white rice
4 cups chicken broth
1 lb. mild Italian sausage, casings removed
2 zucchini, cut into cubes
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pecans, chopped

In a medium saucepan, cook onion and garlic over medium heat in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, until golden, about 8 minutes. Stir in the rice and 3 cup chicken broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer over low for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave covered an additional 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausage, breaking it up, over medium heat until no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Remove and drain on a plate covered with paper towels. Add the zucchini to the skillet and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Return the sausage to the skillet, adding the remaining 1 cup chicken broth (1 cup) and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 4 minutes.

Stir in the rice along with 3/4 cup parmesan cheese. Top with extra parmesan cheese and chopped pecans.



Enjoy!


(adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine)