Mediterranean Rice Bowl (Print Version)
Fluffy rice topped with fresh veggies, spiced chickpeas, feta, and a zesty lemon herb dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup basmati or jasmine rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 cucumber, diced
06 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach or arugula
→ Protein & Cheese
09 - 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
→ Sauce & Dressing
13 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
15 - 1 garlic clove, minced
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Fresh Herbs
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
18 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill or mint, chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Rinse rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Combine rice, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until water is fully absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - Toss drained chickpeas with smoked paprika and ground cumin in a bowl. Heat a splash of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the chickpeas for 3-4 minutes until warmed through and fragrant. Remove from heat.
03 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.
04 - Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the Kalamata olives. Wash and dry the baby spinach or arugula.
05 - Divide the cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Arrange spinach or arugula, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and seasoned chickpeas on top of each portion. Drizzle generously with the lemon dressing. Finish with crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh herbs.
06 - Serve immediately while the rice is still warm. Pair with a crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc for a complete Mediterranean experience.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in under an hour with pantry staples you probably already have.
- The lemon garlic dressing pulls every single ingredient together like it was meant to be.
02 -
- Do not skip rinsing the rice or you will end up with a gummy clump instead of separate grains.
- Letting the rice rest covered off the heat for five minutes after cooking is the real secret to perfect texture.
03 -
- Toast the cumin in a dry pan for thirty seconds before tossing it with the chickpeas and you will unlock a depth of flavor that feels almost cheating.
- Use your hands to crumble the feta because a knife compresses it into a paste instead of leaving those beautiful jagged crumbs.