Spinach Rice

Rice is one of those things that I feel as though I can never really get the right proportion down. Of course, people in my family may be a little bit moody on whether they want rice with their meal or not. Me, on the other hand, lovesssss rice (and yes, it deserved that many s's!). And not just rice, rice in any form...Spanish rice, fried rice, rice flakes, rice noodles, rice flour, lemon rice...I'm not kidding when I say that I really love rice! 

Anyways, I digress. I thought I'd take my hand at a fun rice side dish, that is super easy to make and a great way to get your greens in! I introduce, Spinach Rice. It's a modern take on a classic Indian recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and I did! 

Ingredients:

• 16 ounce box of baby spinach
  
• 3 tsp grated ginger 
  
• 2 tbsp avocado oil
  
• 3 bay leaves 
• 4 cloves (whole) 
  
• 4 star of anise (whole) 
  
• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice 
  
• Salt to taste
• Juice of 1 lime 
  
• ​Parmesan cheese optional
  

Directions:

1. Cook rice as per instructions. 
   
2. While rice is cooking, in a blender, blend the spinach and grated ginger. Use just enough water to get the spinach going so that it doesn't get stuck. 
   
3. In a large pan, warm the oil. Add in the bay leaves, cloves, star of anise. Let the spices warm up just enough where you start smelling a lovely aroma. 
   
4. Add in the spinach puree, and just let the spices steep into the spinach, approximately 7 minutes. 
   
5. Once the rice is cooked, add it into the spinach puree. 
   
6. You will let the rice simmer in the puree until the water has evaporated, and you get a nice green-colored rice. 
   
7. Mix in salt as you like and the lime juice. (Feel free to adjust the flavorings to your taste!)
   
8. Optional add-in: parmesan cheese. For me, it added a nice creaminess, but definitely not necessary! 
   

Enjoy your spinach rice as a side dish to any meal. Your family is sure to love it!