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Hubble Bubble Trouble Pumpkin Rice

HUBBLE BUBBLE PUMPKIN RICE

Joanne Iceton
A delicious way to use up pumpkin
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course, Side Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp. oil
  • 1 onion or 5 spring onions, chopped
  • 200 g smoked bacon chopped
  • 250 g pumpkin flesh chopped* (or use butternut squash)
  • 1 pepper or courgette chopped*
  • 1 - 2 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 200 g brown rice**
  • 650 ml vegetable or chicken stock

Instructions
 

  • Prepare all of the ingredients.
  • Add the oil and onions to a pan, then cook on a low/medium heat to soften.
  • Add the chopped bacon, stirring until it starts to change colour, then add the pumpkin, pepper or courgette, and smoked paprika, stirring to coat the ingredients in the paprika cooking for 5 mins.
  • Add the rice, stir to coat again then add the stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer on a low heat for 10 -15 mins covered. Turn off the heat and leave for another 5 mins; the residual heat will continue to cook the rice. If you use white rice, just cook for 5 -10 mins then leave for 5 mins.
    If you prefer white rice, try to choose basmati, as this has a lower glycaemic index that  releases energy slower than standard rice. It is still a good source of starchy carbohydrates.
  • Stir then serve.

Notes

*Alternatively, use 400g of other vegetables instead of the pumpkin, pepper or courgette. Try sweet potato, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, sweetcorn, even frozen mixed vegetables.
This is a great way to use the flesh scraped out to make pumpkins for Halloween. Try to keep the pumpkin in chunks (this is where you can cut off parts of the carved out features) and keep the stringy parts for soup or cakes.
Do not throw away the seeds; they are nutritional powerhouses!
Pumpkin Seeds
  1. Pick out any large bits of pumpkin flesh from the seeds. Stir in 1 tsp. oil, either the paprika, or curry powder, and salt.
  2. Cook in a dry frying pan, stirring until they start to puff up and pop. Cover and stir frequently until toasted. You can also bake at 180c for 10-15 mins, stirring half way through, or pop in an air fryer at 180c for 10 mins, stirring half way through. Watch carefully as they burn easily.