Oil-less spinach rice from Mount Athos
Spinach is a nutrient that stars in the monks diet. Next is a monastic, oil-free version of the classic spinach rice, in which the olive oil has been replaced with tahini. A simple dish from Mount Athos, which will supply you with the energy you lack during the days of prolonged, strict fasting and will help you to continue your spiritual struggle with moderation. Try this oil-free recipe for easy braised spinach rice with tahini and the taste result will pleasantly surprise you.
We cut the spinach into 3 or 4 depending on its length.
We blanch it in a pot of boiling water and then strain it.
We chop the onions, leeks and grate the tomatoes.
We put a little water in a wide pot, preferably non-stick, and saute the onions and leeks in the water. This process will take more time than if sauteed in oil.
Then we add the spinach and mix it together with the onions and leeks.
We pour the tomato juice and an additional cup of water into the pot.
We season our sauce well with salt and pepper and flavor it with dill.
We add the rice and let the food simmer for about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, we dissolve the tahini in a bowl with the lemon juice and a little hot juice from the pot.
Just before turning off the food, we pour the tahini and mix gently.
If we do not want the spinach rice red, we replace the tomato juice with water and we add more lemon.
We can blanch more spinach than we need, and put the extra blanched spinach in the freezer. This way we will have ready boiled spinach for recipes like this one here or here.
