Vermicelli Rice With Spinach And Cashews

Active time: 15 minutes

Total time: 35 minutes

4-6 servings

Note: If using regular spinach, roughly chop it. Storage: Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

1⁄2

cup unsalted cashews

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 scallions, thinly sliced

21 garlic cloves, minced or finely grated

1 ⁄4 cups white rice, preferably basmati or jasmine, rinsed until

the water runs clear and drained

4 ounces vermicelli or angel hair pasta, broken into 1-inch pieces

(about 1 cup)

2 teaspoons curry powder

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon fine salt, or more as needed

3 cups no-salt-added vegetable broth, divided (may also use

homemade)

1 pound baby spinach (see Note)

2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

In a large, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast the cashews until they become dark brown in spots, about 2 minutes. Keep the pan moving, as they can burn quickly. Transfer the cashews to a bowl.

Return the skillet to the stovetop and reduce the heat to medium. Add the oil, followed by the scallions and garlic, and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the rice, vermicelli, curry powder, ginger, sugar and salt, and stir to combine. Add 21⁄2 cups of the broth and increase the heat to high to bring to a boil. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the broth is absorbed and the rice is mostly cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Add the spinach, a handful at a time, and stir it into the rice until it starts to wilt. Keep adding handfuls of spinach until it is all incorporated, then add the parsley and the remaining 1/2 cup of the broth. Cover and cook until the spinach is wilted and the rice is fully cooked, another 3 minutes.

Serve hot, with cashews sprinkled on top of each portion.

Per serving (11⁄3 cups), based on 6. Calories: 379; Total Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 347 mg; Carbohydrates: 59 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 4 g; Protein: 12 g

Adapted from “Vegan Africa” by Marie Kachouchia (The Experiment, 2022).