Rice Florentine Time: 45 minutes
Florentine means 'cooked in the manner of Florence'. More simply, it means that there is spinach in the dish. A wonderful way to get this heart and eye healthy vegetable. This looks pretty in a clear glass baking dish if you have one.
8 oz, (250 gr) frozen spinach
1/2 cup brown rice quick-cooking, 20 minutes or less, or substitute Basmati
1 small onion or 1/2 large save the other half
1 tbs butter
1 cup chicken stock (or whatever your rice calls for)
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 cup crème fraiche (4 oz)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Finely chop onion. In small saucepan over medium heat sauté onion in butter for 5 minutes. Add rice and sauté 1 minute. Add stock and cook according to package instructions. Thaw spinach and squeeze out excess moisture. Combine spinach, thyme and crème fraiche. When rice is cooked spread 1/3rd of the rice in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with half of the spinach, then half of the cheeses. Repeat layers. Top with remaining 1/3rd of the rice. Cover and bake at 400F (200C) until cheeses melt and flavors meld or about 15 minutes. Remove and serve directly from baking dish.
Cooking for Two? Or more?
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