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Mediterranean Rice and Beans Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 138 reviews

This Mediterranean Rice and Beans recipe is a vibrant, nutritious one-pot meal featuring aromatic spices, tender rice, hearty chickpeas and cannellini beans, fresh spinach, and a hint of lemon. Perfect as a wholesome vegetarian lunch or dinner, it combines Mediterranean flavors with convenient stovetop cooking for a delicious and satisfying dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (or basmati/jasmine)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Optional Garnishes

  • Fresh parsley or mint, chopped (for garnish)
  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Olives
  • Pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add Vegetables: Stir in diced bell pepper and chopped tomato. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
  3. Spice the Mixture: Sprinkle in ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the vegetables evenly with the spices.
  4. Combine Rice: Add the rice to the skillet, stirring to combine well with the vegetable and spice mixture.
  5. Cook Rice: Pour in the vegetable broth or water, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
  6. Mix in Beans and Spinach: Gently fold in the chickpeas, cannellini beans, and chopped spinach. Cover and let it sit off the heat for 5 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt.
  7. Finish and Garnish: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish and garnish with chopped parsley or mint. Optionally, top with crumbled feta cheese, olives, or pine nuts to enhance flavor and texture.

Notes

  • You can substitute brown rice, but increase the cooking time and liquid accordingly.
  • For added protein, serve with grilled chicken or fish if not strictly vegetarian.
  • Adjust spices to taste, adding chili flakes for heat if desired.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat easily.
  • Using vegetable broth instead of water enriches the flavor significantly.

Keywords: Mediterranean rice and beans, vegetarian rice recipe, chickpea rice, one-pot rice meal, healthy Mediterranean dish

Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/mediterranean-rice-and-beans-recipe/