Heart Casserole
Heart Casserole Recipe from Guyana with Hearts, Bread Crumbs, and Spices
Introduction
Heart casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion. This dish features tender and succulent hearts that are stuffed with a delicious mixture of bread crumbs, onions, butter, and spices. The hearts are then cooked in a savory stock until they are tender and flavorful. This dish is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.
History
Heart casserole has been a popular dish for centuries, with variations of the recipe appearing in many different cultures around the world. In medieval times, heart was considered a delicacy and was often reserved for special occasions and feasts. Today, heart casserole is a classic comfort food that is enjoyed by many people for its rich and savory flavors.
Ingredients
How to prepare
- Wash the hearts, slit them open, remove any large blood vessels or gristle, and wash them again.
- Fill the hearts with a stuffing made of bread crumbs, chopped onion, melted butter, ground ginger, and seasoning.
- Tie the hearts together firmly in their original shape with string, dredge them with seasoned flour, and brown them quickly in the hot fat.
- Place the hearts in a casserole dish with the stock, cover it, and bake it in a moderate oven (350°F (177°C)) for 2.5 hours, basting and turning them frequently.
- Add the onions for the last 45 minutes of the cooking time.
Variations
- You can add chopped bacon or mushrooms to the stuffing mixture for added flavor.
- You can also use different herbs and spices in the stuffing mixture to customize the dish to your taste.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
Make sure to thoroughly clean the hearts before stuffing them to remove any excess blood vessels or gristle.
- Tying the hearts together with string will help them retain their shape while cooking.
- Basting and turning the hearts frequently while cooking will help them cook evenly and stay moist.
- Adding the onions towards the end of the cooking time will ensure that they are tender and flavorful.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the heart casserole with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Cooking Techniques
Baking the hearts in a casserole dish with stock will help them cook evenly and stay moist.
Ingredient Substitutions
You can use chicken or turkey hearts instead of beef hearts for a lighter version of this dish.
Make Ahead Tips
You can prepare the hearts and stuffing mixture ahead of time and refrigerate them until you are ready to cook the dish.
Presentation Ideas
Garnish the heart casserole with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika for a beautiful presentation.
Pairing Recommendations
Serve the heart casserole with a glass of red wine or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving
350 per serving
Carbohydrates
20g per serving
Fats
15g per serving
Proteins
25g per serving
Vitamins and minerals
This dish is a good source of iron, vitamin B12, and zinc.
Alergens
This dish contains gluten and dairy.
Summary
Heart casserole is a nutritious and delicious dish that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. It is a good source of iron, vitamin B12, and zinc.
Summary
Heart casserole is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion. This dish features tender and succulent hearts that are stuffed with a flavorful mixture of bread crumbs, onions, butter, and spices. With its rich and savory flavors, heart casserole is sure to become a new favorite in your household.
How did I get this recipe?
I can still remember the exact moment I stumbled upon this recipe for Heart Casserole. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in the small town of Willow Creek. My grandmother, whom we affectionately called Nana, was the one who first introduced me to the world of cooking.
Nana was a wonderful cook, and she had a talent for turning simple ingredients into delicious meals. She had a vast collection of recipes that she had acquired from various places and people over the years. Some were handed down from generation to generation, while others she had picked up from friends or neighbors.
One day, as I was helping Nana prepare dinner, she pulled out an old, tattered recipe card from her collection. It was for a dish called Heart Casserole, and it immediately caught my eye. I had never heard of such a dish before, and I was intrigued by the name.
Nana explained that Heart Casserole was a recipe that had been passed down in our family for generations. It was a hearty and comforting dish, perfect for cold winter nights. The main ingredients were ground beef, onions, tomatoes, and a variety of spices. Nana said that the key to making the dish truly special was to add a secret ingredient – a pinch of love.
As we worked together to prepare the casserole, Nana shared stories about her own childhood and the times she had spent in the kitchen with her own grandmother. She talked about how cooking was a way to connect with loved ones, to share stories and memories, and to create something special that would bring joy to others.
I listened intently as Nana shared her wisdom and knowledge with me. I watched as she expertly seasoned the meat, sautéed the onions, and layered the ingredients in the casserole dish. I could see the passion and love that she poured into every step of the process.
As the casserole baked in the oven, filling the kitchen with a mouth-watering aroma, Nana sat me down at the table and handed me a pen and paper. She encouraged me to write down the recipe, to keep it safe and pass it on to future generations.
And so, that is how I learned to make Heart Casserole – a dish that has become a beloved family favorite. Over the years, I have made the casserole countless times, each time adding my own touch and creating new memories with my own family.
As I sit here now, reminiscing about that day in Nana's kitchen, I am filled with gratitude for the gift of cooking that she passed on to me. I am grateful for the love and warmth that she infused into every dish she made, and for the connections that were forged over shared meals and shared stories.
And so, as I prepare to make Heart Casserole once again, I do so with a heart full of love and a spirit of gratitude. I know that Nana is looking down on me, smiling, as I continue the tradition that she started so many years ago. And I am grateful for the memories that we created together in the kitchen, and for the legacy of love that lives on in every bite of that delicious casserole.
Categories
| Casserole Recipes | Guyanese Meat Dishes | Guyanese Recipes | Heart Recipes |