Green Garden Rice (Swamp Rice)

Name: Green Garden Rice (Swamp Rice)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 cups Baby Spinach; 2 cups Basmati Rice; 0.5 cup Diced Yellow Onion; 1 bunch Fresh Parsley; 1 bunch Green Onion; 4 whole Jalapeño Pepper; 3 tbsp Olive Oil; 2 whole Peeled Garlic; 2 tsp Seasoned Salt; 2.5 cups Vegetable Broth

Side Dish 🥗Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 Mexican Sugar-Free Heart-Healthy ❤️Gluten-Free Vegetarian 🥦Vegan 🌱Plant-Based 🌻Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Pescatarian 🐟

Green Garden Rice (Swamp Rice) is a vibrant, herb-forward side dish where spinach, parsley, green onions, and jalapeños infuse basmati with fresh, peppery notes and a gentle heat. The grains cook up fluffy and beautifully green, making it a striking companion to roasted meats, grilled fish, or weeknight tacos. Finish with butter, lemon, or a splash of vinegar to brighten the flavors.

Prep10 mins
Cook30 mins
Serves8
DifficultyEasy

1

Add oil to a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and set over medium heat. Add onions and a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften and turn translucent, about 5 minutes.
2

Meanwhile, add spinach, peppers, parsley, garlic, green onions, and water or broth to a blender. Blend on high until liquefied; set aside.
3

Add rice and the remaining salt to the saucepan, and stir until the rice grains are coated with oil, about 1 minute.
4

Increase the heat to high; pour in the liquid from the blender. Stir briefly to combine, then wait for the mixture to start boiling around the edges. Stir once more, then gently shake the pan to settle the rice into an even layer.
5

Wait for the mixture to return to a boil around the edges, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover tightly. Set a timer for 20 minutes.
6

Turn off the heat, set a timer for 10 more minutes, and let the rice rest, covered, for the full 10 minutes. Uncover and use a fork to test the doneness of the rice in the center. If the rice is tender, use a fork to stir, toss, and fluff to separate the grains. If it is not quite tender, cover and return to medium-low heat for 5 minutes, then check again for doneness. Fluff and serve.