Mediterranean Rice Bowl with Za’atar & Feta

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Published: 13/6/2022

Updated: 7/7/2023

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Enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal doesn’t mean spending hours in the kitchen. Enter Farmer’s Rice with Za’atar and Feta, a quick and easy Mediterranean rice bowl that will indeed become a staple in your meal rotation. Packed with aromatic herbs and fresh vegetables like asparagus, red onions, and tomatoes, this vegetarian dish is bursting with flavors that will transport you straight to the shores of the Mediterranean. Topped with crumbled feta cheese and crunchy pine nuts, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser that is perfect for lunch or dinner. So go ahead, whip up a batch of this delicious rice bowl, and enjoy a little taste of the Mediterranean in the comfort of your own home.

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Type of Cuisine:

Mediterranean

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Prep Time: 20 minutes.

Total Time: 25 minutes

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How Many Servings?

4 servings

Table of Contents

Farmer’s rice with za’atar and feta is a healthy and filling Mediterranean rice bowl perfect for lunch or dinner! This rice dish is a vegetarian meal all in itself. It is made with many different aromatic herbs and vegetables. I like to add asparagus, red onions, tomatoes, pine nuts, feta cheese, mint, parsley, and olives. Farmer’s rice is packed with many flavors and is easy to make! You can have an entire meal ready in 30 minutes. 

This rice dish is salty, earthy and has plenty of fresh vegetables to brighten up the dish. Farmer’s rice is a tasty rice dish that everyone can love. Even your children will enjoy it! You can even personalize it by adding your favorite vegetables.

What Type of Rice Should I Use?

Selecting the right type of rice is crucial to achieving a perfect texture in your Farmer’s Rice. For this recipe, we highly recommend using fragrant jasmine rice. Jasmine rice features long, slender grains that retain their firmness and separate beautifully when cooked, ensuring a fluffy and satisfying dish.

To prepare the ideal amount of rice for this recipe, start with about 1.5 cups of uncooked jasmine rice. Once cooked, this amount will yield approximately 4 cups of cooked rice—just the right quantity to create a generous serving of Farmer’s Rice. Adjust the quantity as needed based on your desired portion size or the number of people you serve.

What to Serve with Farmer’s Rice with Za’atar and Feta

Farmer’s rice with za’atar and feta is a delicious and filling meal all on its own, but it also pairs well with various other Mediterranean dishes. A great side dish next to roasted chicken with za’atar and sumac would complement the rice’s earthy flavors. Alternatively, it could be served alongside Mediterranean drumsticks or grilled kofta kababs for a complete and satisfying meal. It also would be a great accompaniment to Mediterranean shrimp with spicy harissa. A lighter option, a simple Greek salad, would perfectly complement the bold and flavorful rice.

What Can I Add To My Mediterranean Rice Bowl? 

Here are some suggestions to take your Mediterranean Rice Bowl to the next level:

  1. Vegetables Galore: Feel free to experiment with a wide range of vegetables. If there’s a specific vegetable you’re not fond of, quickly replace it with something you love! Raid your refrigerator for vibrant green beans, tender zucchini, or flavorful squash. Bell peppers, eggplant, and broccoli florets are also fantastic choices. Chop them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and visual appeal.
  2. Fresh Herbs: In addition to the aromatic herbs mentioned earlier, consider incorporating other fresh herbs to elevate the taste and add brightness. Basil, dill, cilantro, and oregano can bring unique and refreshing notes to your rice bowl. Sprinkle them on top as a garnish or mix them into the rice during the final stages of cooking for a burst of herbal goodness.
  3. Nutty Crunch: Add a satisfying crunch and extra nutrients with nuts and seeds. Toasted pine nuts, slivered almonds, or chopped walnuts are wonderful options to consider. Sprinkle them over the rice bowl just before serving for a delightful textural contrast.
  4. Olives and More: Enhance the Mediterranean essence by including olives in your rice bowl. Choose your favorite variety, such as Kalamata or green olives, and chop them up or leave them whole for bursts of salty goodness. Additionally, you can explore other Mediterranean ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, capers, or artichoke hearts to amplify the flavors and add a touch of complexity.
  5. Citrus Zest: Try grating some lemon or orange zest into your rice bowl for a vibrant and citrusy twist. This simple addition will brighten the flavors and provide a refreshing element that complements the other ingredients beautiful.
Ingredient List
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Preparation

1.
Farmer’s Rice with Za’atar and Feta
Rinse 1 1/2 cups of jasmine rice and soak it in water for 20 minutes.
In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté 1/2 cup of chopped red onion for 2 minutes.
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2.
Farmer’s Rice with Za’atar and Feta
Add 1 cup of chopped fresh tomatoes and 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
Stir in 1 teaspoon each of paprika, sumac, and salt, along with 2 tablespoons of za'atar spice mix.
Add 1 cup of trimmed and chopped asparagus and 1/2 cup of sliced kalamata olives, and mix everything together.
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3.
Farmer’s Rice with Za’atar and Feta
Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pan, then pour in 2 cups of warm water.
Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Allow the rice to simmer for 20 minutes.
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4.
Farmer’s Rice with Za’atar and Feta
After 20 minutes, remove the pan from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes with the lid still on.
Finally, stir in 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese and 1/2 cup each of chopped fresh mint and parsley using a fork.
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5.
A vegetarian Mediterranean-inspired rice bowl with za'atar, feta, and fresh veggies.
If desired, sprinkle 1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts on top of the rice before serving. Enjoy your delicious farmer's rice with za'atar and feta!
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Please Support The SiteHome Cooking is Easy!With These Minimalist Kitchen Essentials

Ingredients:

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1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon sumac
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon zaatar
1 cup fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into smaller pieces
1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives
1 1/2 cups of jasmine rice, washed and soaked in water for 20 minutes
2 cups of warm water
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)

Preparation

1
Rinse 1 1/2 cups of jasmine rice and soak it in water for 20 minutes. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté 1/2 cup of chopped red onion for 2 minutes.
2
Add 1 cup of chopped fresh tomatoes and 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for an additional 2 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon each of paprika, sumac, and salt, along with 2 tablespoons of za'atar spice mix. Add 1 cup of trimmed and chopped asparagus and 1/2 cup of sliced kalamata olives, and mix everything together.
3
Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pan, then pour in 2 cups of warm water. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Allow the rice to simmer for 20 minutes.
4
After 20 minutes, remove the pan from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes with the lid still on. Finally, stir in 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese and 1/2 cup each of chopped fresh mint and parsley using a fork.
5
If desired, sprinkle 1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts on top of the rice before serving. Enjoy your delicious farmer's rice with za'atar and feta!

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

To prepare the asparagus for this recipe, you'll want to trim off the tough, woody ends at the bottom. Bend each spear gently until it snaps, and discard the bottom portion. You can also use a knife to trim off the ends. After trimming, you can cut the asparagus into smaller, bite-sized pieces for the recipe.

To keep asparagus fresh in the fridge until ready to use, store it upright in a glass or jar with a little bit of water at the bottom. Cover the top loosely with a plastic bag or damp paper towel to prevent drying. Alternatively, you can wrap the asparagus in a wet paper towel and store it in a plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of your fridge. Stored properly, asparagus should stay fresh for 5-7 days.

Rana’s Notes!

If you have leftovers, Farmer's Rice with Za'atar and Feta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When it's time to reheat, you can simply transfer the rice to a microwave-safe dish and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop by adding a splash of water to the pan and stirring the rice until heated through. Just be careful not to overcook the rice, as it may become mushy. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

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