Rice and vegetable gratin

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 250 g rice
• salt water
• 1 large zucchini
• 1 onion(s)
• 1 garlic clove(s)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 30 g butter
• 4 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 tomatoes
• 1 ball of mozzarella
• 250 g minced meat, if desired

Instructions

Working time approx. 40 minutes; Total time approx. 40 minutes

Place the rice in boiling salted water, bring to a boil, and let it swell according to the package instructions. Wash and dry the zucchini, trim the ends, and cut into thick slices. Peel and finely dice the onions and garlic. Heat the oil in a large pot and sauté the onions and garlic. Add the zucchini slices and sauté. Season with salt and pepper. Place the cooked rice in a large, shallow baking dish. Stir the butter and tomato paste into the rice and season with salt and pepper. Wash the tomatoes, cut out the stems, and slice them. Arrange the tomato slices in a circle on top of the rice and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the zucchini slices in the center. Drain the mozzarella, cut into small pieces, and arrange it on top of the vegetables. Place the dish in the oven at 220°C (top/bottom heat). Bake for about 15 minutes. It also tastes delicious if you fry about 250g of minced meat and then mix it into the rice.