Ingredients
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 medium leek, sliced (white and light green parts only)
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium cabbage, sliced (about 500 g / 1 lb)
- A handful fresh dill, roughly chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
Other Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 225 g (1/2 lb) round grain rice
- 1 litre (4 cups) vegetable stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the base vegetables: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a Dutch oven or large stockpot over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, diced carrot, and sliced leek. Cook these vegetables for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften.
- Add garlic and tomato paste: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Then add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and sauté for another minute, stirring continuously to blend the flavors.
- Cook the cabbage: Add the sliced cabbage to the pot and season generously with salt. Sauté the cabbage for 8 to 10 minutes until it has reduced in size and softened.
- Add rice and stock: Stir in 225 grams of round grain rice and pour in 1 liter (4 cups) of vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and cooked through. Add extra stock if the mixture appears too dry while cooking.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat and stir in the fresh chopped dill and the juice of 1 lemon. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and an optional drizzle of olive oil for added richness.
Notes
- Use fresh dill for authentic flavor; dried dill can be substituted but reduce quantity by half.
- If you prefer, you can use brown rice but increase cooking time accordingly and add more stock as needed.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with Greek yogurt or a side of grilled vegetables.
- For a non-vegetarian variation, add cooked ground meat or sautéed sausage before adding the rice and stock.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated on the stovetop with a splash of water or stock to prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian