Kath's Casserole

My friend Kath is gluten-intolerant.  I thought about that when I was looking at one of my old recipes for a Ham & Noodle Casserole.  So I decided to rework it.  I am happy with the results; so were my official tasters.

HAM AND RICE CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS

4 T sweet butter                                                             

1 small onion, chopped fine                                          

Cooked rice with pine nuts (recipe follows)                     

2 eggs, slightly beaten        

8 oz creme fraiche

4 oz grated Gruyere                                                     

1/2 lb chopped cooked deli ham

1 tsp chopped fresh thyme

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2 quart casserole.
2. Melt the butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft. Set aside.
3. Cook the rice according to the recipe below.
4. While the rice cooks, in a large bowl, mix the eggs and crème fraiche, then add the cooled onion, cheese, ham and thyme. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add the cooked rice, mix to combine, and transfer to the casserole.
6. Bake in middle of oven for 40-45 minutes. Cover if top is getting too dark.

Serves 4.

RICE WITH PINE NUTS

INGREDIENTS

1/3 c pine nuts                                                              

1 T butter                                                                     

1 large shallot, minced (or about 2 T minced onion)

1 c uncooked rice (not converted rice)
1-1/2 c low-sodium chicken stock

PREPARATION

1. Toast pine nuts in nonstick skillet until lightly browned.  Set aside.
2. Melt butter in pot.  When melted, add shallot and cook until tender.
3. Add rice and stir to blend; cook about 1 minute over medium-low heat.
4. Add the chicken stock, turn up the heat and bring to a full boil.  Stir thoroughly, cover with tight fitting lid, turn burner to lowest setting and cook exactly 17 minutes.  DO NOT OPEN POT AT ANY TIME WHILE COOKING!
5. Open pot, stir in pine nuts.  If serving as a side dish, also mix in 1 T butter.  For recipe above, omit butter.

Note:  this rice recipe is designed for a gas cooktop, where the heat can be immediately controlled.