Popeye, the sailor, ate it straight from a can, but we have the opportunity several times a year to eat our spinach fresh since farmers Will and Amira grow it in our greenhouses. I created this recipe on the fly when my friend Patty gave me some beautiful yellow Dal (lentils). Dal is both the name for beans and lentils, among the basics of Indian cuisine and it is also the name of a traditional Indian cuisine lentil dish. I added brown rice with my spinach and Dal, which served to create a healthy, delicious casserole. You can serve this as a complete vegan protein or as a side to accompany a meat or fish entrée. Following the recipe, you will see other ways to change it up to suit your tastes and your friends and family tastes and ways to utilize any fresh produce you have sitting in your fridge. I hope you give it a try and have fun changing it up!

Spinach, Dal and Brown Rice Casserole 

Yields 4 –6 portions 

Stove Top 

 Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice 

2 cups cooked Dal(lentils) 

3 cups fresh baby spinach leaves 

½ thinly medium onion (sliced) 

2 Tablespoons fresh garlic (thinly sliced) 

2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil 

1 teaspoon finely minced fresh ginger 

½ cup of coconut milk 

1 Tablespoon ground Cumin 

1 Teaspoon Fresh Thyme Leaves 

3 Tablespoons fresh lemon Juiced 

Salt and Pepper to Taste 

2 Tablespoons Toasted Almonds 

 Let’s Get Cooking 

1.In a medium sauté pan, cook onion and garlic in coconut oil over low heat until soft. 

2.Stir in spinach, cumin, thyme, ginger, cooked brown rice, cooked lentils, and coconut milk. 

3.Cook approximately five minutes, until all is warm and simmering. 

3. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in lemon juice. Sprinkle toasted almonds on top. 

Notes 

1. Although I prefer it warm, this dish can be enjoyed at room temperature. 
2. Avoid overcooking the lentils but be sure they are cooked enough. 
3. Nuts should be added once the dish is warmed and about to be served to avoid them getting soggy. 

“It’s Your Dish!” 

Substitutions/additions to make it your own 

You can use any type of cooked lentils or substitute the lentils with cooked beans. 

Substitute the butter or olive oil for the coconut oil.  

Substitute the fresh thyme for any fresh or dried chopped herbs. 

Substitute the brown rice with any type of cooked rice. 

Substitute the fresh chopped kale for the fresh spinach. 

Substitute any nuts for the almonds or omit them. 

Add any type of broth to this dish and enjoy it as a soup.