Spanakorizo - Spinach Risotto - traditional Greek recipe

This is the traditional recipe for this delicious dish that is a warming and hearty meal in itself or it can be served as a side dish with a light entree. Try topping with a sprinkle of crumbled feta.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 pounds of fresh spinach, chopped, washed, drained
• 1 spring onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• 1 1/3 cup of water
• 1 1/3 cups of long-grain rice (optional use brown rice - but allow longer cooking time)
  
• 5 1/4 cups of water
• sea salt
• freshly ground pepper
• juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)

Preparation:In a stock pot, sauté the chopped spring onion in the oil over medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Add spinach and 1 1/3 cups of water and cook until the spinach wilts, about 5-7 minutes. Add rice and 5 1/4 cups of water, bring to a boil, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in lemon juice and salt, cook for another 5 minutes and remove from heat. Stir, cover, and let sit for 20 minutes until the dish "melds."

Serve with wedges of lemon and freshly ground pepper.