Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice)

Healthy and delicious

Homestyle Greek spinach & rice. Great on it’s own, but makes a supurb sidedish to a delicate fish or grilled chicken.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 fennel bulb, chopped

3 scallions, chopped

2 lemons, zest and juice

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 cup medium or long grain rice

1- 1 1/2 pounds fresh spinach, destemmed and chopped

1/3-1/2 cup dill, chopped

salt and pepper

Method:

1. In a medium dutch oven, heat 1/2 cup of the olive oil on medium-low. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Add the fennel, scallions, and lemon zest and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add garlic and cook on low for 2 minutes.
3. Add rice and stir.
4. Add spinach, a handful at a time, stirring. Keep stirring in the spinach one handful at a time until it’s all in the dutch oven.
5. Add the juice of ONE of the lemons plus 1-1/2 cups of water.
6. Turn up heat and bring to a simmer.
7. Once it’s simmering, turn heat to low, cover and simmer about 30-40 minutes until the rice is fully cooked. Check on the dish often and give it a stir. If your rice absorbs all the liquid but is not fully cooked, add a little more water.
8. When your rice is cooked, remove from heat and stir in the remaining juice of one lemon plus the dill. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.