Italian Rice and Beans

This recipe comes from one of my favorite cookbooks: Vegan Yum Yum. Its a weekly menu item and is SUPER fast and very nutritious.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup Brown Rice (i use the microwavable bags from Trader Joes)

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 to 3 teaspoons Italian herbs of your choice (basil, oregano, marjoram, rosemary etc)

1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes cut into strips (i use the julienned ones)

1/4 cup pine nuts (already toasted from Trader Joes work great!)

1 can great northern beans; rinsed and drained

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

2 large handfuls baby spinach

Zest from 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS:

step 1 Start cooking the rice (or just pop it in microwave for 3 minutes :))

step 2 Heat olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat

step 3 Add the herbs, tomatoes, and pine nuts. When the pine nuts start to turn golden brown, add the beans. Toss gently, trying your best to keep the beans whole.

step 4 Add the salt and vinegar and stir gently. Turn the heat to LOW.

step 5 Place spinach in one layer on top of the beans. Place the hot, steaming rice over the spinach and leave for 30 seconds or so, until you see the spinach wilt. Mix gently and taste. If it doesn't have the kick you want, add in a little more vinegar and salt to taste.

step 6 Grate lemon zest on top of rice and beans and serve.