The idea of something big to share with family and friends, as a treat, came to me a few days ago when, I was yearning for some sun to hit my courtyard. And as I looked up at the grey sky, I knew that that wasn’t about to happen outside anytime soon, and that I couldn’t do anything about it. But then I thought again – “I will bring the sun, and shine it on our plates for dinner tonight”. And it happened last night, and here it is for you to share. Without despair, and with compassion, here comes this delicious, magnificent work of art (sorry to sound like I am boasting, but you will know what I mean after you have made it yourself).
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups Arborio short grain rice, boiled in water with 1 tsp of turmeric
- 1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- olive oil for frying
- 1 cup mince replacement – either soya mince or chopped roasted pecans (I use Linda McCartney veggiemince) – or the equivalent in veggie mince burgers – use 2 and mince them in your processor)
- ¼ of a zucchini, cut into small squares
- 2 tsp curry powder
- salt to taste
- 2 tsp cardamon powder
- 6 dried apricots, cut into small pieces
- a dozen salted olives, chopped into small pieces
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 cups grated vegan cheese (Daiya or Redwoods – one that will melt)
- 1 cup sweetcorn (cooked)
- 1 carrot, grated
- 2 tbsps red pepper, cut into small squares
- 3 tsp egg replacer, mixed with ¼ cup water
- 3 tbsps golden breadcrumbs (for coating)
METHOD
Pour your oil in a large non-stick pan, and fry your onions and zucchini until transparent. Then add your vegan mince and garlic and stir, then add all the spices and apricots, mix and allow to cook on a low heat for a minute or so.
Now add the olives, lemon zest, sweetcorn, grated carrots and red pepper, and mix again. Finally, add the cooked yellow rice and stir properly. Take off the heat, and add the egg replacer mixture and grated cheese. Stir and mix well, until ingredients are well distributed.
Now, the next step is to scoop it up and place it in a large glass round bowl, then turn it over into a greased oven dish. Sprinkle on some golden breadcrumbs (I used Paxo), and bake in a hot oven for 25-30 minutes, until it is crispy looking from the outside. Inside will be a little moist, which makes the texture interesting and contrasting !!!
Sticking some cut lengths of fresh carrot around the top for decoration makes a great feature, emphasizing the sunshine element. Parents beware, kids love this !!!
All recipes, content & design © Miriam Sorrell mouthwateringvegan.com 2010
These are free recipes for your pleasure – all we ask in return is that you take a few moments to leave a constructive comment !
March 17th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Wow these look exciting, thank you for the recipe.
March 18th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
This looks simply sensational and easy to make, even for me..
March 18th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Looks like another delicious dish!! Well done!!
March 19th, 2011 at 12:11 am
What a spectacularly presented dish! Very inventive! This would be something I’d try for a special occasion, as it would be sure to impress. Thanks for sharing dear Miriam.
March 19th, 2011 at 12:54 am
I just made this for supper without the onions, zucchini, pecans or apricots but added a large handful of fresh chopped cilantro and a 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and 1/2 tsp. oregano – it was fantastic – I will make it again – thx!
March 19th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Hi there Phil, they taste even better than what they look like – have a go and let me know ! Cheers !
March 19th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Yes Steph, it sure is – when the visual of a culinary dish provokes feelings of enthusiasm and fun, one becomes inspired, and making the recipe becomes a joy – the reward greater still, as it’s just so delicious !!! that said, i will let you be the judge of that ! Let me know how it goes, as and when. Thanks.
March 19th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Olga, thanks so very much – it’s very tasty indeed, and can also be made with quinoa and brown rice in the same proportions as those in the recipe itself, as a healthier option – but all the other inserts are healthy and I used the white arborio rice as I needed a glutinous consistency to keep it all together. Best to you !
March 19th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Dear Veroni, how very sweet of you to say so. I agree 100% with you, but the great thing is that it is as easy to make as any other dish really, it just looks impressive as it’s shape and the concept which came to me in the night believe it or not (craving the sunshine, woke up the next morning and the thought was still there) – hope you make it soon and let me know what you think as and when ! Cheers !
March 19th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Hi there Susan, whatever your reasons for not adding the ingredients in my recipe, it’s a good one to experiment with – and cilantro is great, cinnamon is tasty too and am glad that the result was fantastic for you. Glad you will make it again – sounds like you had fun with it – that’s the right cooking spirit – enjoy and then enjoy again – the taste ! Cheers !
March 21st, 2011 at 1:31 pm
WOW…SO TASTY …as always we here find something to eat..something healthy and something soooooo tasty….indeed the sun came into my home!!!
THANKS…
March 21st, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Eva, thanks for your wonderful comment and glad this dish was both uplifting and enjoyed. Cheers to you and keep well.
March 27th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Your foods rock Miriam!!
March 27th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Daphne, what can I say to such a wonderful statement ? – other than a huge, T H A N K S !!!!
April 9th, 2011 at 1:45 am
Of course, what a fantastic site and educative posts, I surely will bookmark your blog.Have an awsome day!
April 9th, 2011 at 11:04 am
Many thanks for that – I cook with a great deal of passion and inspiration, and love what I do. Have a great day too !
April 15th, 2011 at 12:24 am
Thanks Miriam, my family loved this dish particularly my 4 year old daughter! She thought it was fabulous!!! I used brown rice and a cheese sauce instead of cheese made of nutrition yeast flakes, okara, water, and salt, and I also didn’t use the egg replacer. Because it had a bit more liquid it didn’t quite keep its shape as well as yours but it still looked great. I will try it with the correct ingredients one day but I like to cook with what I have in my pantry.
April 15th, 2011 at 7:20 am
Wow Michelle, that sounds good to me – yes if you don’t happen to have egg replacer use a little flour to thicken next time just to keep the form, but it sounds as though you did pretty well. I too have a 4 year old daughter who simply adores these, so it’s a very child friendly recipe I have to say. Hope you enjoy my other recipes too !!! Best to you !
April 18th, 2011 at 6:22 pm
This was absolutely delicious!
I didn’t have egg replacer, and unfortunately didn’t see your comment about adding some flour. It tasted great though!
One question.
“2 tbsps red pepper, cut into small squares” – is that right or meant to be a bit more?
April 19th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Hi Cynfelyn, I like the pic you took of it, it looks great, however, for next time an egg replacer will help firm things up better – I think your attempt was great and that sounds like the right amount of red pepper, but you can double it if you wish – I use more from time to time too ! Cheers !
June 9th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Your blog keeps getting better and better over time! specially this post.
June 9th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Angelyn Hi – what can I say ? – other than, well, thank you, thank you & thank you !!! I usually post up weekly, and have more exciting, delicious recipes on their way ! Best to you.
June 11th, 2011 at 7:36 am
Followed this link from the “Earthlings” page at Facebook. Looks great! So bright and sunny. Can’t wait to try it
June 12th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Jean Hi there and thanks for your comment – great to see the space you came from – Eathlings !!! Great stuff, and I do hope you enjoy this wonderful Sunshine Ball, as it is indeed super delicious – will wait for your feedback though. Enjoy !
June 13th, 2011 at 11:50 am
We made this tonight, we loved it, Thank you!xx
June 13th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Justine Hi and welcome. So happy you made this and loved it – thanks for your constructive comment ! Cheers to you !
December 10th, 2011 at 12:31 am
Miriam, this recipe was great. But when does the grated carrot go in?
Thanks!
December 10th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Miriam Hi there – thanks for the comment – add it with the sweetcorn and peppers (have amended it accordingly) Let me know how it goes – Cheers to you !
December 23rd, 2011 at 5:05 pm
This looks amazing! Question, Miriam….can this be made without the use of the vegan cheese? We’re trying to cut down on our fat intake….Thanks!
December 23rd, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Hello! Thank You for the marvellous-looking dish! As a beginner, I´d love to know, what is egg replacer..and is it possible to replace it with sth else but an egg?:D (in case I don´t find it in my tiny country in Europe..)
All the best and thank You for inspiration!
December 23rd, 2011 at 7:34 pm
Hi there Adele and welcome to my site. You may use cornstarch/corn-powder instead. Orgran is an egg replacer and is sold in Europe I think. Let me know how it goes. Enjoy & Happy Festive Season to you !
December 23rd, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Cindy Hi there, thanks for dropping by – it sure can be made without it, in which case add a little more curry ! Let me know how it goes ! Cheers to you and Happy Festive Season to you !
December 23rd, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Hi Miriam. I’ve GOT to try this recipe – it looks and sounds delicious! It will be something special for New Year’s Eve. I’m so glad I found your website – thanks for all the inspirational recipes!
December 24th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Hi there Geoff, welcome to my site and thanks for dropping by with your wonderful comment. I think it will be indeed ideal for New Year’s Eve, it looks so celebratory that you can’t really go wrong with it. Cheers to you and let me know how it goes. Happy Holidays & Peace to you for 2012 !
January 14th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Hi Miriam. I cooked it on New Year’s Eve and it was fantastic! Made it again last week. It’s a very satisfying dish with lots of flavour. I like it with mixed vegetables – or on its own with a little mango chutney. All the best for 2012!
January 14th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Hi Geoff, thanks for coming back to me with your feedback – I am totally delighted that you enjoyed my recipe on two occasions already, how wonderful ! Yes, I imagine the mango chutney would have been very pleasant with it, Yum ! Cheers to you and look forward to your future comments here.
January 30th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
what is mince??? maybe i should google it. but i’d rather hear from you cuz then i know i’m getting the right stuff.
January 30th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Rebecca Hi there and thanks for stopping by here with your comment. Mince – would either be soya mince, which is sold at most health food stores, or also known as TVP textured vegetable protein, or here is a link that will give you an idea of how vegan mince is sold http://www.redwoodfoods.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&category_id=2&product_id=31&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=29&vmcchk=1&Itemid=29 meantime if you are lost for what to do, use a cup of chopped pecan nuts, roast them a little or dry fry them in a non-stick pan for 2-3 minutes, then use them instead of mince. Hope all this info helps you. Let me know how the recipe goes and best to you !
January 30th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
This looks fantastic!! I just watched Forks Over Knives & have decided to switch to a healthier, and ultimately vegan lifestyle. My whole family is going to do it together. Since I’m the main person cooking for us all (parents, sister & her bf, my hubby & 3 kids), I’m so excited to have found such a delicious looking recipe to try out! Thanx for the good eats!
January 31st, 2012 at 8:25 am
Dear Jayshree, welcome to my site and thanks so much for popping round with your comment. Congratulations for the decision that you have made, you have been both brave and responsible in making this awesome decision, and in addition an investment in your family’s wellbeing, that of yourself, the animals and ultimately the planet’s too. The second thing I wanted to say to you is please do browse my categories and see what takes your fancy and that of your family’s – there are many dishes to choose from – pasta, rice, dumplings, soups, sweets, cakes etc, don’t miss out on them. Any questions let me know and I will help you. I have helped many new comers here in the past and present and am here for you too. I look forward to your future comments and feedback on my blog, and good to know how the family respond too. By the way, often times the meat eaters love my food as much as vegans do – as the old English saying goes ‘proof is in the pudding’ best of luck & Cheers to you !
February 3rd, 2012 at 12:45 pm
You sure have an artistic flair when it comes down to your presentation. The top picture says it all. This would be nice to make for a party.
February 4th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
H there Barbara and thanks so much for dropping by with your wonderful comment/compliment. Thing about this recipe too Barbara is that it’s just so super easy to make, whilst at the same time is a great party piece. Hope you manage to make it at some point too. Cheers to you and I look forward to your future comments on my blog. Best to you !
March 29th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 29th, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Hope you enjoy it dear Anna (very easy to make). !
March 31st, 2012 at 10:43 pm
Love everything about your site, healthy and vitalising recipes, wonderful presentation and high energy through your wellbeing intention thank you, my mouth was watering the whole time, cant wait to try out the recipes and get my son involved in the kitchen
Thank you, Love and Light
April 2nd, 2012 at 9:01 am
Nicola Hi there and thanks for dropping by with your comment and compliment. I hope your son enjoys himself in the kitchen also. I very much look forward to your future comments on my blog. Best to you.
April 8th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
I made this dish on Boxing Day and everyone – even the non-vegans – really enjoyed it. It looks and tastes unique. Truly a conversation piece!
April 8th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Jenny Hi there and welcome here. I am glad that you made and enjoyed this dish and more to the point so did the non-vegans !!! I very much look forward to your future comments here on my blog and very best wishes to you !
August 31st, 2012 at 12:04 am
Thanks
August 31st, 2012 at 2:27 am
You’re welcome Karen.
January 6th, 2013 at 9:40 am
This is an absolutely perfect combination of flavours, Miriam! Delicious.
January 6th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Carolyn Hi – I must say, I agree ! Hope you enjoy my recipes.