Wild Rice and Spinach Gratin

Gruyère cheese, which flavors this hearty gratin, has a rich, sweet, nutty flavor and melts easily. MORE + LESS -

Ingredients

cup uncooked wild rice

tablespoon butter

2/3

cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs

3/4

cup Gruyère cheese, shredded

green onions, thinly sliced

cup finely chopped onion

cloves garlic, finely chopped

tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

cups fat-free (skim) milk

1/2

teaspoon salt

1/4

teaspoon ground pepper

box (9 oz) spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain

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1

In 1 1/2-quart saucepan, cover rice with at least 2 inches water. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 40 to 50 minutes or until tender; drain any remaining water.
2

Meanwhile, in small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 25 seconds or until melted. Stir in bread crumbs, 1/2 cup of the cheese and the green onions; set aside.
3

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spray 1 1/2-quart saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Cook and stir finely chopped onion in saucepan about 3 minutes or until almost tender; add garlic. Cook and stir about 30 seconds longer or until fragrant. Stir in flour. Cook and stir 1 minute (mixture will be dry). Gradually add milk, stirring with whisk; heat to boiling. Cook and stir about 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup cheese, the salt and pepper.
4

In medium bowl, mix hot rice, spinach (breaking up with fingers) and milk mixture; spoon into baking dish. Top with reserved topping.
5

Bake uncovered 30 to 35 minutes or until topping is golden brown.

Wild rice is not actually rice but a long-grain marsh grass native to the northern Great Lakes region. In addition to being harvested in this area, wild rice is grown commercially in several Midwestern states and in California. Wild rice has a wonderful nutty flavor and chewy texture that enhances casseroles, soups, stuffings and salads.
For a special occasion or splurge when you might not be watching those few extra calories, try substituting fat-free half-and-half for the fat-free (skim) milk.