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Spinach Rice Pilaf

User Rating 4.5 Star Rating (2 Reviews) Write a review

By , About.com Guide

Spinach Rice PilafPhoto © Molly Watson
Spinach and rice cooked in broth merge into more than the sum of the parts in this easy, nutritious side dish. Serve alongside roasted meats or topped with plain yogurt as a centerpiece in a vegetarian meal.

Note: Make sure the spinach is thoroughly clean and free of grit.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp. salt, plus more to taste (omit if using canned broth)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bunch spinach, trimmed, cleaned, and cut intothin ribbons
  • 1 cup long-grain rice
  • 1 3/4 vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 Tbsp. dill leaves (optional)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Preparation:

  1. In a medium pot over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in spinach. Cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted and any liquid has evaporated, about 4 minutes.
  2. Stir in rice. Add broth and bring to a boil. Add dill, if you like. Cover and reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cook, undisturbed, for 20 minutes.
  3. Fluff pilaf with a fork. Stir in pepper, if you like. Serve hot.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

User Reviews

 4 out of 5
A good jumping off point..., Member Fiercetyper

I knew I wanted to make a spinach and garlic rice dish as a side. I had the most ingredients for this and went for it. I only had brown rice and added two cups (recipe said only one?!) and it still took quite a while for the liquid to reduce on the stove. I'm not sure how only a cup of rice would work for this! Used some onion Lipton soup mix in place of an onion. Did not add salt because was using this in lieu of an actual onion. Ended up working really well! Did not cut the spinach, just took a few big handfuls and added them to the pot -- worked great. Do not think cutting them is necessary as they wilt down so much! When all was said and done -- I loved this. Simple, most people have these things on hand, and it was great!!!

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