Brown Rice with Spinach & Sweet Peas

Brown rice doesn’t need much to turn into a flavorful side dish. A little garlic, broth, spinach, and sweet peas can take it well beyond the plain bowl of rice you might be used to.

This recipe cooks everything right into Parish Brown Rice, letting the rice absorb the broth and garlic before fresh spinach and peas are folded in at the end. It’s simple, hearty, and easy to pair with whatever else is on the table.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Parish Rice Brown
• 2¼ cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)
• 2 packed cups fresh spinach
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Optional: squeeze of lemon or a pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Rinse rice under cold water.
2. In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Stir in rice and toast 1 minute.
5. Add broth, salt, and pepper.
6. Bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 35–40 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
8. Remove from heat, keep covered, and let rest 10 minutes.
9. Gently fold in peas and spinach.
10. Cover again for 2–3 minutes until spinach wilts and peas warm through.
11. Fluff with a fork.
12. Finish with lemon if using.

Why Brown Rice Works Well With Spinach & Sweet Peas

Brown rice has a heartier texture and slightly nuttier flavor than white rice, which makes it a natural base for simple vegetable dishes like this one. Cooking the rice in broth gives it flavor from the beginning, while the spinach and peas are added near the end so they stay a fresh part of the dish.

Parish Brown Rice is grown on our family farm in Eunice, Louisiana, from the Frontier rice variety. Because brown rice keeps the bran and germ during milling, it also provides the whole-grain qualities people look for when choosing brown rice.

What Can You Serve With Brown Rice, Spinach & Sweet Peas?

This is an easy side to put next to grilled chicken, fish, pork, shrimp, or roasted vegetables. The flavors are simple enough that it doesn’t compete with the rest of the meal.

You could also use it as the starting point for a rice bowl and add your favorite protein on top.