So ... haven't been on for a while to post as I am busy getting ready to relocate to Japan for a while ... but I tried a recipe the other night that I loved and have to share. It is easy too!
I had to come in a edit this because I forgot the rice! You need to cook one cup of brown rice ... so one cup of rice and two cups of water. After trying this I think next time I might use veggie stock for a little more flavor.
Saute in a couple tablespoons of olive oil 1/4 cups of pine nuts with a mix of Italian fresh herbs ... I used basil, marjoram and rosemary. Add 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes sliced into strips. After the pine nuts start to brown a little add a can of drained and rinsed great northern/cannelli beans plus three tablespoons of good balsamic vinegar and saute those for a few minutes. place a couple of handfuls of fresh baby spinach on top of the bean mixture and then add your brown rice on top of that and let it sit and wilt the spinach for a few minutes. Next zest one lemon over the top, add salt and pepper and serve! I use a micro planer because it gives you a fluffier zest.
This was awesome and even Richard liked it ... with some pork chops as a side dish LOL! I added a little more balsamic and a little extra virgin olive oil tonight and ate it cold as my dinner ... and yes, it rocked! A simple side salad with it made it a nice, healthy and filling meal!
I think you could make this with kidney beans or any other medium sized bean that you have in the cupboard, but the cannelli beans are true Italian.
