Cook this delicious Greek spanakorizo at home
Spanakorizo, a staple Greek dish, combines spinach and rice into a nutritious meal. Originating from Greece, it exemplifies the Mediterranean focus on vegetables and grains. It's not only wholesome but also reflects Greek culinary simplicity and fresh ingredient use. Ideal for vegetarians and those desiring eggless options, spanakorizo is a treasured recipe handed down through generations. Ready to cook? Let's begin this culinary tradition.
Gather the following ingredients
To prepare spanakorizo, you will need one cup of long-grain rice, two tablespoons of olive oil, one large onion finely chopped, two cloves of garlic minced, 10 ounces of fresh spinach washed and chopped, two cups of water or vegetable broth for added flavor, the juice of one lemon, two tablespoons of fresh dill chopped (optional), salt to taste, and freshly ground black pepper.
Preparing the base
Begin by warming the olive oil in a sizable pan over a medium flame. Introduce the finely diced onion, cooking until it turns translucent, a process that typically spans about five minutes. Following this, incorporate the minced garlic, continuing to saute for an additional minute until it exudes a fragrant aroma. This foundational step is crucial for establishing the aromatic base of your spanakorizo.
Adding spinach and rice
Add the chopped spinach to your pan with sauteed onions and garlic, introducing it in batches if needed. Allow each addition to wilt down before incorporating more. After all the spinach has collapsed into a tender mixture, blend in the cup of rice. Season with salt according to your preference and stir thoroughly, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients throughout the pan.
Cooking with liquid
Pour in two cups of water or vegetable broth into your pan; this liquid will cook your rice while also infusing it with flavors from your base mixture. Bring everything to a boil then reduce heat to low allowing it all to simmer gently uncovered for about 20 minutes or until most liquid has been absorbed by rice.
Final touches
Once the rice is tender yet still moist, remove the pan from heat. Stir in the lemon juice and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. If using dill, now's the time to sprinkle it in. Mix gently to combine all the flavors before serving the dish warm, either as a hearty main or a side.
