Greens With Rice
A vibrant and nutritious greens with rice dish featuring wilted greens, toasted almonds, and tender rice, perfect for a wholesome vegetarian meal or side. Flavored with garlic and onion.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse greens thoroughly.
- Cut stems into 1/2-inch pieces and chop leaves.
- Heat olive oil in a heavy saute pan over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion; saute for 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add stems; saute for 2 minutes.
- Add chopped leaves.
- Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until wilted.
- Add chopped garlic and rice; season with salt and black pepper.
- Mix with greens.
- Pour in boiling water, cover, and cook over low heat without stirring until rice is tender, about 18 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve sprinkled with toasted sliced almonds.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider sautéing the garlic briefly before adding it to the greens. If you don't have long grain white rice, jasmine or basmati rice can work as substitutes. Feel free to mix in other greens like kale or collard greens. For a vegan option, ensure the almonds are not roasted in butter and skip any cheese topping.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. Serve it alongside a fresh Onion Cucumber Salad to balance the flavors. It can also be enjoyed as a standalone vegan dish or with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to prevent drying out, or microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Greens With Rice contains roughly 1501 calories, with 37g protein, 193g carbohydrates, and 67g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (74% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (58% of the Daily Value), and iron (47% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1399mg per serving (61% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen greens instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen greens can be used in this recipe; just be sure to thaw and drain them well to remove excess moisture. Cooking times may be slightly reduced since they are already wilted.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño when sautéing the onions. You could also serve the finished dish with a drizzle of hot sauce for an extra kick.
Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the greens and rice a few hours in advance. Just store them separately until you're ready to serve, then combine and reheat gently. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).