Herbed brown rice medley

This is a complex, interesting dish.

Photo by Arria Belli (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Visually stunning, it also provides a wealth of textures and health benefits. Brown rice is rich in manganese, which is a powerful antioxidant. Manganese also helps in the synthesis of fatty acids, which are critical for a healthy nervous system. For those who are avoiding grains, feel free to substitute roasted sweet potato or a winter squash of your choice. Pumpkin seeds are a fantastic source of zinc, which supports immune function and skin health.

Prep
1 cup brown rice
1½ cups vegetable broth
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
⅓ cup cilantro
1 cup spinach
1 clove garlic
½ cup celery
½ lemon
 
Cook rice in a medium saucepan with broth, according to package instructions. Allow to cool.
 
Toast pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
 
Finely chop cilantro, spinach and garlic. Slice celery and lemon.

Assemble
3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon walnut oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
¼ cup feta cheese
¼ cup dried cranberries

In a small bowl, combine oils, salt and pepper, whisk gently. In a large bowl, combine cilantro, spinach and garlic. Toss with oil mixture. Stir in celery, salt, pepper, and pumpkin seeds. Stir in rice. Sprinkle with feta and cranberries. Toss again right before serving.

Serve
Serve with a squeeze of lemon.
 
Preparation: 45 minutes
Serves: 4