French Casserole
by Tarla Dalal

The French Casserole is a classy one-dish meal with subtle flavours. It is basically comprised of three components – rice, spinach-onion mixture and tomato gravy – that are arranged and baked with a topping of cheese.

Spinach gives you a creamy mouth-feel, while the onions give you a pungent crunch and the tomato gravy endows the dish with an irresistibly tangy taste.

The rice is cooked in milk, which gives a classic taste and creamy texture to the dish. With a touch of spices and the appetizing aroma of herbs, the French Casserole is a sure-shot hit!

Try your hand at making more French favourites like the Spaghetti Souffle or Baked Vegetable Pancakes in White Sauce with Eggs

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French Casserole recipe - How to make French Casserole

For The Rice
3/4 cup rice (chawal)
1 1/2 cups milk
salt and freshly ground black pepper (kalimirch) to taste

For The Spinach-onion Mixture
3 cups chopped spinach (palak)
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 tsp oil
1 tsp chopped green chillies
salt to taste

For The Tomato Gravy
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/4 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp chilli flakes
1 tsp sugar
salt and freshly ground black pepper (kalimirch) to taste
1 tbsp fresh cream

For The Topping
5 tbsp grated processed cheese

Method
For the rice

Combine the rice, milk, 1½ cup of water, salt and pepper in a broad non-stick pan, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 18 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Keep aside.

For the spinach-onion mixture

Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute.
Add the spinach, green chillies and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Keep aside.

For the tomato gravy

Combine the tomatoes, onions and 1 cup of water in a broad non-stick pan, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 6 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
Cool completely. Put it into a mixer and blend till smooth.
Combine the tomato-onion mixture, chilli powder, oregano, chilli flakes, sugar, salt and pepper in a deep non-stick pan, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 10 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
Add the cream, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 30 seconds. Keep aside.

How to proceed

Spread the rice in a glass baking dish in an even layer.
Spread the spinach-onion mixture evenly over it.
Spread the tomato gravy evenly over it.
Sprinkle the cheese evenly over it.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200°c (400°f) for 10 minutes.
Serve immediately.

Nutrient values (Abbrv) per serving

Energy	133 cal
Protein	4.9 g
Carbohydrates	10.7 g
Fiber	1.6 g
Fat	5.9 g
Cholesterol	13.3 mg
Sodium	41.9 mg

Click here to view calories for French Casserole

Mina Shah

on 22 Jul 16 12:44 PM

I want to try this dish but I don''t know what is milk rice. Pl tell me about it Thank you

Tarla Dalal

22 Jul 16 02:44 PM

Hi Mina, just click on the blue link and it will take you to the recipe of milk rice. Anyways, sending you the link. http://www.tarladalal.com/Milk-Rice-22528r

Gandhi Dhwani

on 17 Sep 14 01:29 PM

It''s a WOW recipe! The milk rice and spinach makes it healthy and tomato gravy makes it delightful. The combination of spinach and tomato gravy with rice after baking makes it an A-1 dish.
Edited after original posting.