Green Rice with Roasted Veggies
Ingredients
- 2 cups Carolina® White Rice
- 1/2 lb asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1/2 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered
- 3 cups small broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt, divided
- 1 tsp pepper, divided
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups kale leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
Carolina® White Rice is toasted with onion, jalapeño and garlic, and simmered in broth and kale, topped with a blend of roasted green vegetables for a delicious side dish for any meal!
Step 1
Preheat oven to 425ºF. Toss together asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, oil, and 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper. Arrange in single layer on large baking sheet; roast for 12 to 15 minutes or until tender and charred in spots.
Step 2
Meanwhile, melt butter in large saucepan set over medium heat; cook onion, jalapeño and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes or until softened.
Step 3
Stir in broth; reduce heat to low. Stir in rice, kale, and remaining salt and pepper; cover and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
Step 4
Fluff rice mixture with fork. Stir in cilantro, lime juice and green onions. Fold in roasted vegetables.
Recipe Tips
- Substitute whatever green veggies are in season, such as zucchini, fennel, celery, green beans, tomatillos or green bell peppers, for the medley of asparagus, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
- Use thick asparagus spears, so they roast at the same rate as the other vegetables (if spears are thin, roast them on a separate baking sheet for 7 to 9 minutes or until tender).
Ultimate Green Rice
Want to eat more greens? This rice dish is a delicious way to incorporate all kinds of greens into your meal with flavor in every bite!
To give your dish a great base, we suggest using Carolina® White Rice to start as the long grains cook up fluffy and separate and are perfect for absorbing all of the delicious flavors of the sautéed onion, jalapeño and garlic. If you’re a fan of milder foods, simply omit the jalapeño or swap in a milder pepper such as banana pepper.
If you’re looking to incorporate more vegetables, make sure to check out these ways to eat more veggie-packed meals. You might also like this Green Poblano Rice or a Green Rice Salad with Chicken.
Holiday Rice
Not only is this green rice tasty, but it also makes for the perfect holiday side dish whether you need a bit more veggies on your Thanksgiving table, want to make the ultimate green St. Patricks Day meal or a simple get-together with friends or family.
Variations
Made with hearty white rice and loaded with vegetables, this vegetarian dish is filling and tasty for a vibrant side dish or a vegetarian main dish. However, if you want to add in a bit of protein, this combo mixes well with cooked shredded chicken, beef strips or tofu.
Use what green vegetables are in season and that you have on hand, a few might include zucchini, fennel, celery, green beans, tomatillos or green peppers and toss them on the grill for a delicious BBQ side in the summertime.
In addition to varying the vegetables, you could also customize those fluffy grains! Even those familiar with how to cook long grain rice may not know just how easy it is to give grains a flavor boost; this recipe proves that transforming a dish can be done simply by cooking with broth and vegetables!
How to cook long grain rice — which liquid to use — can completely transform a dish!
