Spanish Rice and Vegetables

A budget version of the rustic Spanish favorite. An herbed-citrus olive pesto adds color and intensifies the flavor.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, sliced into strips
2 bell peppers, sliced
1 small bulb fennel, core removed and sliced
3 garlic cloves, sliced
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 large bay leaf
1 cup no salt added diced tomatoes
1 cup brown rice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup canned or frozen lima beans, drained and rinsed

Pesto:
1/2 bunch flat-leaf parsley, leaves only
8 Kalamata olives, pitted
1 clove garlic
1 lemon zested and juiced

Place a large saute pan over medium heat, then add the oil. Add the onions and peppers when the oil is hot and cook for four minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the fennel and garlic, and cook for another 2 minutes.
Add all the spices and the bay leaf, and stir constantly for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, stir to combine, then add the vinegar and scrape the bottom to pull up any caramelized bits.
Add the rice to pan, stir and cook for one minute. Slowly add the boiling water to the pan, stirring to combine.
Raise the heat to medium-high, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the pesto, either in a food processor or by chopping all the ingredients together.
After 35 minutes, stir in the lima beans, cook for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in the pesto and serve immediately.






Serving Size: Makes 8 cups, 2 cups per serving

Photo credit: PhotoKitchen.net