As a working mother, it has been and always will be a challenge to provide delicious and nutritious dishes for the kids. I don't want to bore them with weekly all-in-one menus but it is a challenge to create out-of-the-box menus.
I have always wanted to include baking dishes in my menu but sadly, was unable to do so as I don't possess an oven. I only own a microwave oven which essentially is good for warming food but not for baking ;(
For this baked rice dish (prepared on 30 Dec 2011), I attempted using the microwave to create the 'melting cheese' effect typically seen on baked rice. Oh well, beggars can't be choosy! But I don't mind praises for being innovative hahaha :p
Overall, the dish was okay...only thing is I over estimated the portion but well....I should be thankful that there were no complaints from my hubby and kids though haha...
Ingredients (8 pax share):
- 300 grams frozen minced beef, rinse once with tap water and once with hot water, then set aside (I got the frozen ones as it can be kept longer so if I didn't get a chance to cook this weekend, I can keep for next weekend. I got mine from NTUC XTRA. Typically okay as my kids don't reject. In fact, they loved it!)
- 250 grams frozen mixed vegetables (or you could prepare your own, which is cheaper, cut the carrots in small cubes etc and throw in some potatoes in small cubes too if you like. I usually get Watties (from New Zealand) from the supermart.)
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese, sliced (it's pretty sticky so I opted to slice it. Faster and easier. You can also choose those already sliced or in cube forms but they are more expensive.)
- 1 can baked beans
- 1 medium size onion, chopped finely
- Rice
- Salt to taste
- Water
- Cooking oil
How to cook:
(1) Rice
- Cook the rice as per usual method but with slightly more water/
(2) Mixed Vegeatbles
- Boil a pot of water for the mixed vegetables.
- When water is boiled, pour the mixed vegetables into the pot and add a pinch of salt into the water. -
- Leave it to boil over medium heat for about 10mins. then scoop up and set aside.
(3) Minced Meat
- Heat the wok with cooking oil.
- Add diced onion once wok is heated.
- Add the minced beef once onions turns brown, add some water then fry over medium heat.
- Keep stirring to break up any lumps of meat.
- Add salt to taste.
- When minced beef is half done, add the baked beans and pour in enough water to cover the meat. Continue stirring till minced beef is 3/4 done (medium cooked), scoop up and set aside.
(4) Once Steps (1) to (3) are done, scoop the rice into a corningware. It cannot be fully filled up (about 3/4 filled up with rice).
- Add the minced beef with baked beans to fully cover the top of the rice.
- Spread the sliced mozarella cheese over the minced beef mixture.
- Put the entire pot into microwave oven and start the oven. (The one thing I regreted was I didnt monitor the timing. I did short intervals of 10 mins heating on-off to check on the 'status' of the cheese. I stopped the microwave oven once the cheese is melted to my desired level.)
- Sprinkle the mixed vegetables on top of the rice before serving.
Note: Remember you have to eat the baked rice piping hot otherwise its not gonna be the same!
