Spinach Almond Rice Recipes

SPINACH ALMOND CROSTINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the chopped almonds out on a baking sheet and bake until fragrant and golden, 5 to 10 minutes. Check frequently, as they can burn quickly. Allow to cool.
• Preheat the broiler. Slice the baguette diagonally in 1/4-inch-thick slices, brush with olive oil and place on a broiler pan. Broil until toasted, 2 to 3 minutes.
• In a steamer basket set over 1 inch of simmering water, steam the spinach until wilted, a few minutes. Remove the spinach and drain well.
• Put the spinach and garlic in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add in the sour cream, almonds, parsley, thyme, chives, cayenne, and season with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Pulse until combined. Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
• Spread the spinach mixture on the toasted bread, sprinkle with additional chopped almonds, and serve.

SPINACH-ALMOND RICE

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups salted water to a simmer; add 1 1/2 cups basmati rice, cover and cook over low heat until tender, about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then let cool. Toss with 4 cups baby spinach, 1/2 cup each chopped marinated artichoke hearts and toasted slivered almonds, 1 cup chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest, the juice of 2 lemons and 1/3 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

ALMOND RICE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring the water, rice and butter to a boil. Remove from the heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until water is absorbed. Stir in the almonds, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley.

INDIAN TOFU AND SPINACH OVER ALMOND RICE

Steps:

• Prepare the rice according to the package directions.
• Preheat a large, deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with the vegetable oil. Add the tofu, season with salt and pepper, and lightly brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Remove the tofu from the skillet and reserve on a plate. To the same skillet, add the garlic, ginger, onions, cumin and coriander.
• Sauté together for 4 to 5 minutes or until the onions are tender. Add the spinach and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the vegetable stock and bring to a bubble. Add the curry paste, mango chutney, and chick peas, then return the browned tofu to the skillet, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer the curry for 8 to 10 minutes.
• While the curry is simmering, toast the almonds in a small dry skillet over medium heat until golden. Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork, add the toasted almonds, and stir with the fork.
• Serve the curry in shallow bowls with a scoop of almond rice on top (rice on the bottom gets too mushy).

BAKED SPINACH RICE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add spinach and wilt for 30 seconds. Remove with a wire mesh spider or tongs and rinse in a colander with cold water. Squeeze dry and chop roughly.
• In the same pot, boil the rice for 10 minutes, keeping it slightly underdone. Drain and spread on a baking sheet to cool, then transfer to a large bowl.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 2-quart soufflé dish (or other baking dish) and dust with about 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add almonds and cook, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Season lightly with salt and add contents of skillet to rice.
• Add remaining Parmesan to rice, along with the ricotta, Gruyère, currants, nutmeg, lemon zest, thyme and sage. Season lightly with salt and add pepper to taste. Add chopped spinach and gently toss rice with hands or wooden spoons to distribute ingredients evenly. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. (May be prepared up to this point several hours in advance of baking.)
• Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 10 minutes more, until top is browned.