Thursday, September 20, 2007

a different kind of kugel

a very simple kugel (koo-gull) recipe using either store-bought or homemade bisquick mix, this has lots of flavour and is a bit different from the regular ones made from either potatoes or egg noodles. it is extremely light in comparison to other (heavy) kugels, being crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. kids seem to like it a lot, too, in spite of the "objectionable" presence of zucchini (eww, what's the icky green stuff?).

try it, you'll like it.


zucchini-carrot kugel

a few vegetables and some bisquick result in a tasty kugel that goes nicely with the standard brisket or chicken dish. it's also good just on its own :) while it contains no dairy products, you can add shredded cheddar or mozzarella. for another variation, you can add chopped small bits of other vegetables like broccoli.

ingredients:

3 c grated & drained zucchini* (skin on)
1/2 c very finely minced carrot
½ c onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 to 4 tbsp parsley, finely chopped (opt)

1 c bisquick or pancake mix -- (i add 1 1/3 c)

½ - 3/4 tsp salt
pepper, to taste
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried basil

½ c vegetable oil (not olive) -- i use less, 1/3 c only
4 eggs (can also use 2 eggs + 2 whites)

*make sure to drain the zucchini as there is a lot of water in it. i usually salt it, let it sit and then rinse and squeeze dry.

method:

preheat oven to 350F. oil a 9" square (pyrex) pan.

beat eggs in a large bowl and add the other ingredients (or any way you want, it doesn't matter as long as it's well mixed).

pour the contents into pan and bake 40 - 60 minutes (until a nice brown crust forms). i usually turn up the oven to 400F during the last 10 minutes.

remove and let sit to cool. i prefer serving this slightly warm as it firms up more as it cools.


to serve cut in squares or diamonds. can also be made in ramequins for individual portions. if making in ramequins, change your cooking times.

can be made in advance and frozen: thaw only slightly and reheat at 350 F uncovered.


enjoy!

11 comments:

Emily DeVoto, Ph.D., said...

Yum... I could eat this every day, green bits and all! But I will probably make it with Trader Joe's multigrain baking mix, trans-fat free, thank you very much :)

Did we talk about the zucchini-olive oil chocolate cake? I think it's even pareve...

~M said...

This sounds great. I plan on making a gluten-free (dairy) version with Pamela's all purpose baking and pancake mix. Out of curiosity, why don't you grate the carrots like you do the zucchini?

burekaboy — said...

emily - LOL, i love my transfats in measured amounts ;p OU / OU d issues, apart ....

you guys are so lucky, you have whole foods & trader joe's. no such luck here though WFs is in toronto.

yep, we did discuss the cake :)

(what? no comment on the 'bald' peanuts & bisquick?!! LOL)

hi ~M - thanks for the comment and visit. have never even heard of Pamela's mix but, then again, i'm in canada and some of your products *US* don't make it up here. as for the carrots, sure you can grate them — i'm just a little weird when it comes to things, LOL. i prefer them chopped, not grated. it's really a matter of choice. hope you enjoy the recipe :)

Anonymous said...

I'm trying this in Ramadan, Insha'Allah :-)

Emily DeVoto, Ph.D., said...

So far so good... it's in the oven and puffing up nicely. As usual I broke the rules: I used a fines herbes mix plus dill because I never seem to be able to find dried oregano and basil, plus those herbs go well with zucchini. And I just shredded the carrot on the box grater. I'll let you know how it tastes.

Very easy recipe, in any case!

burekaboy — said...

hi em - ha ha :) i knew you were gonna add your own twist (not like rules aren't made to be broken, huh?). how ever you prepare it, i'm sure it'll turn out delish. will wait and see what you think -- and your ideas for needed improvements later.

and yup, muy facil.

easy fast. (i'm makin' chicken pot pies -- in oven now).

burekaboy — said...

jamila - hope you like it :) you can increase the salt a bit as i find it needs it (for my tastes).

hope all is well :)

Anonymous said...

Great Idea Bureka Boy! :)
Optional : add some feta cheese for a more mediterranean style dish. In this case you can subsitute 1 c bisquick or pancake mix with corn flour. Mmm delicious!

burekaboy — said...

hi lydia :) - thanks!

wonderful idea on your part, too :) i never even thought to use either of those ingredients. i'll have to try that. thanks for the suggestions.

~M said...

Hi Bureka boy,

How necessary do you think it is to use a bisquick-type mix that has shortening in it? My (gf) mix is a self-rising aka pancake mix that contains a bit of salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Thanks!

burekaboy — said...

~m - hiya ... so sorry for the late reply -- things have been out of control! i figure you should be fine without the shortening buy you may want to add say 3 to 4 tbsp to the kugel or maybe make it and divide in half and add oil to one 1/2 and leave the other plain and bake in two dishes and see how they turn out. either way it should be fine. i think the bisquick has the shortening in it to act as a shortcut thereby not requiring one to add it. hope it turned/turns out well and you like it.

hope you have a great passover!