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Enjoy this delicious and easy-to-prepare Mediterranean Farmer’s Rice with Za’atar and Feta bowl that will indeed become a staple in your meal rotation.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 20 minutes.
Cook Time: 25 minutes
How Many Servings?
4 servings
Ingredients:
1X
2X
3X
Adjust Servings
| 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 tablespoons 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
Prep & Sauté the Aromatics
Before you begin, prep and measure out all your ingredients for easy assembly. Rinse 1½ 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 ½ cup of chopped red onion for about 2 minutes, until just softened.
Before you begin, prep and measure out all your ingredients for easy assembly. Rinse 1½ 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 ½ cup of chopped red onion for about 2 minutes, until just softened.
2
Build Flavor with Veggies & Spices
Add 1 cup of chopped fresh tomatoes and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Sauté for 2 more minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon each of paprika, sumac, and salt, plus 2 tablespoons of za’atar for bold Mediterranean flavor. Add 1 cup of chopped asparagus and ½ cup of sliced Kalamata olives, and stir everything together until well combined.
Add 1 cup of chopped fresh tomatoes and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Sauté for 2 more minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon each of paprika, sumac, and salt, plus 2 tablespoons of za’atar for bold Mediterranean flavor. Add 1 cup of chopped asparagus and ½ cup of sliced Kalamata olives, and stir everything together until well combined.
3
Add Rice & Simmer
Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pan. Pour in 2 cups of warm water and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Drain the soaked rice and add it to the pan. Pour in 2 cups of warm water and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
4
Finish with Herbs & Feta
After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes to steam. Then, gently fluff the rice with a fork and stir in ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese, plus ½ cup each of chopped fresh mint and parsley. Serve warm and enjoy every flavorful bite!
After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes to steam. Then, gently fluff the rice with a fork and stir in ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese, plus ½ cup each of chopped fresh mint and parsley. Serve warm and enjoy every flavorful bite!
5
Garnish & Serve
If desired, sprinkle ¼ cup of toasted pine nuts over the rice just before serving for extra crunch and richness. Enjoy your delicious Farmer’s Rice with Za’atar and Feta — fresh, flavorful, and satisfying!
If desired, sprinkle ¼ cup of toasted pine nuts over the rice just before serving for extra crunch and richness. Enjoy your delicious Farmer’s Rice with Za’atar and Feta — fresh, flavorful, and satisfying!
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!