Basmati Rice with pine nuts and spinach

This rice dish is a staple in my house. I make it with the pine nuts and spinach but you can easily add or substitute with walnuts or sliced almonds, summer squash or zucchini, and saute shallots. I often will use white raisins, figs, dates, or dried currents depending on whether I serve it with lamb, pork tenderloin or fish.

Experiment and see what you and your family likes best.

Ingredients:

2 cups of Basmati Rice. (I like to buy my Basmati in a large burlap bag from Amazon)

pinch of salt

2 - 1 3/4 cups of water

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Directions for Rice:

Using a large pot or dutch oven heat olive oil in pan. When warm add Basmati Rice, a pinch of salt and stir. Allow Rice to toast for approx 2 minutes, stirring a few times.

Add 1 3/4 cups of water and then one more 1 3/4 water. I do it this way to ensure exact proper measure.

Allow Rice to come to a boil, cover, turn heat down to simmer and cook for 15 minutes exact.

After 15 minutes - DO NOT REMOVE COVER - turn off heat and allow rice to rest as is covered - for 10 minutes more.

Other ingredients: toast pine nuts by gently heating in small pan for approx 5-7 minutes. You want a light brown. Do not burn. Add oil to the pine nuts and then the spinach. Turn with tongs until spinach is slightly wilted and add to your rice pot OR you can add a portion of rice into the pan and heat slightly. Reserving your white rice for something else.

* You will be guaranteed to have the fluffiest rice if you cook your Basmati exactly as per the directions. Timing is everything!

There is nothing like a great Basmati Rice dish. I reheat my Basmati Rice in a pan until crispy and add eggs on-top for a quick breakfast.

ENJOY!