Pineapple Salmon Brown Rice Bake
My favorite food writer Jim Harrison once mentioned- in passing- his baked brown rice casserole with roasted green chiles and sour cream. It's not really a recipe- more like an idea, an imagining so simple you think, Why haven't I done this before? And so I did.
Pineapple Salmon Brown Rice Bake
I've been making various versions of Harrison's fabulous combo ever since. It's a versatile, easy, toss-together weeknight dish. I season my brown rice by cooking it in broth and saffron; and I usually add Old Bay Seasoning. This adds a lot of flavor to the rice.
For you vegetarian readers, I also make a version with cheddar (or spicy jalapeño Jack) and chopped spinach; just substitute the salmon with a 10-oz. box of frozen spinach, thawed. If you want to add some protein, stir in some cooked black eyed peas or chick peas.
2 1/2 - 3 cups cooked long grain brown rice
1 1-lb. cooked wild salmon steaks, skin removed, flaked
3/4 cup chopped roasted green chiles, drained if canned
3/4 cup artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
1 cup pineapple chunks, unsweetened, with juice
1/2 tsp curry powder or cumin, to taste
1/4 tsp Gluten-Free Lemon Pepper, to taste
1/2 to 3/4 cup sour cream- start with less, you can always add more
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar or spicy Pepper Jack cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked brown rice with salmon, green chiles, artichokes, pineapple, spices, a half cup sour cream and the shredded cheese; if it needs more moisture, add a little sour cream, a spoonful at a time. When it is the consistency you like, spoon the mixture into an oiled casserole or baking dish.
Cover and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until heated through, about 25-35 minutes, till hot and steaming.
Serve with a salad of tender baby greens in a citrusy vinaigrette.
Serves about 4.
For you vegetarian readers, I also make a version with cheddar (or spicy jalapeño Jack) and chopped spinach; just substitute the salmon with a 10-oz. box of frozen spinach, thawed. If you want to add some protein, stir in some cooked black eyed peas or chick peas.
2 1/2 - 3 cups cooked long grain brown rice
1 1-lb. cooked wild salmon steaks, skin removed, flaked
3/4 cup chopped roasted green chiles, drained if canned
3/4 cup artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
1 cup pineapple chunks, unsweetened, with juice
1/2 tsp curry powder or cumin, to taste
1/4 tsp Gluten-Free Lemon Pepper, to taste
1/2 to 3/4 cup sour cream- start with less, you can always add more
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar or spicy Pepper Jack cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked brown rice with salmon, green chiles, artichokes, pineapple, spices, a half cup sour cream and the shredded cheese; if it needs more moisture, add a little sour cream, a spoonful at a time. When it is the consistency you like, spoon the mixture into an oiled casserole or baking dish.
Cover and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until heated through, about 25-35 minutes, till hot and steaming.
Serve with a salad of tender baby greens in a citrusy vinaigrette.
Serves about 4.
3 comments:
Hi Karina! I baked this with shredded cheddar and extra jalapeños and it was really delicious! Thanks! -NL
Hi, can you make a recommendation for making this recipe without dairy? Thanks!
Vickie- You can either sub the dairy with soy based equivalents (I've never done so- so I can't vouch for the taste) or just leave out the dairy entirely, and moisten the rice mixture with more olive oil. I might add some halved cherry tomatoes for a boost of flavor.
Karina
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