Green rice

Green rice - a delicious and vibrant dish, perfect for adding a splash of color to your table! This simple green rice recipe is not only tasty but also quick, making it ideal for a family dinner or even a festive meal. I will guide you step by step, providing useful tips and variations to customize your recipe.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 200 g basmati or jasmine rice
- 4 tablespoons olive oil or sunflower oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 bunch of fresh basil, chopped
- 600 ml vegetable broth or water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon (optional, for a fresh taste)

Instructions:

1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by rinsing the rice under cold running water to remove excess starch. This step is essential for achieving fluffy rice that doesn’t stick together. Let it drain in a sieve.

2. Heating the oil: In a medium pot, add the oil and heat it over medium heat. It is important not to let it smoke, just warm it up.

3. Sautéing the onion: Add the chopped onion to the hot oil and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent. At this point, you can add the crushed garlic to enhance the flavor.

4. Adding the rice: Once the onion is sautéed, add the drained rice and mix well for a minute, allowing it to absorb the flavors from the pot.

5. Cooking the rice: Pour the vegetable broth (or water) over the rice and bring everything to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let the rice simmer for 15-20 minutes. Do not lift the lid during cooking, as the rice will absorb all the moisture.

6. Finishing the dish: When the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Then, add the chopped fresh parsley and basil, gently mixing to combine the ingredients. If you want a fresher taste, you can add the lemon juice at this point.

7. Serving: Serve the green rice warm, alongside a fresh salad or as a side dish for meat. It is a perfect accompaniment for grilled chicken or fish.

Practical tips:
- You can add vegetables such as peas or carrots to enrich the dish. These can be added to the pot along with the rice when pouring in the broth.
- Replace parsley with cilantro if you prefer a more exotic taste.
- For an even more vibrant look, you can add fresh spinach or kale, which can be sautéed together with the onion.

Green rice is a versatile and flavorful dish that will surely bring a touch of joy to your table. Enjoy every bite and feel free to experiment with your favorite ingredients!

 Ingredients: 200 g baby spinach leaves, 100 g / 2/3 cup cashews, 300 g / 1 1/2 cups long grain rice, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 6 green onions, 650 - 750 ml vegetable broth or chicken broth, a handful of parsley, 2-3 tablespoons olive oil to taste.