Spanakorizo is a Greek spinach and rice dish with all the great flavors of spanakopita but much easier to make! Tender rice seasoned with dill, lemon, herbs and feta cheese. Greek Spinach and Rice, spanakorizo, is a classic Greek vegetarian dish made with spinach and rice. It is also one of the healthiest traditional Greek recipes because it's packed with lots of spinach (a well known “super food”), onions, fresh herbs, and lemon.
Heat olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium high heat. Sauté onions until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for another minute.
Add the cumin, 1 tablespoon of dill, lemon zest, oregano, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of chives/green onions and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Stir in the rice and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add in the vegetable broth and the spinach. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover with the lid, and cook until the rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed (about 15 to 20 minutes – follow your rice package instructions).
Stir in the butter, lemon juice and the remaining fresh dill and remaining chives/green onions before serving. Add in cubed feta and gently stir to combine.
Garnish with crumbled Feta cheese and enjoy!
Notes
Tips for Cooking Rice:Properly cooking the rice is the most important part of making Spanakorizo. The goal is rice that's perfectly cooked, not mushy or sticky. Here are a few tips to help:• Always rinse the rice first. Rinse the rice under cold water until it runs clear, instead of cloudy. Rinsing the rice removes the starch, which is what makes rice too sticky.• Don't remove the lid during cooking. Though it may be tempting, avoid lifting the lid while the rice is cooking. Lifting the lid will allow all the steam to escape and affect the cooking time.