Thursday, July 21, 2011

Savory Spinach and Rice Cakes



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Over the years I've collected several recipes for rice cakes. I've even created a few of my own. I generally serve them as a side dish when plain grilled chicken or meat is on the menu, though I've been known to make them as entree for myself when I'm alone for dinner. They are easy to prepare, and these simple frittata-like squares are a great way to use leftover rice that might otherwise be trashed and wasted. I especially like this recipe because it's a good way to get spinach into folks, large or small, whose lips lock when they see spinach on the table. This recipe is unique because the rice cakes actually cook in a microwave oven. It takes about 20 minutes to assemble these and you can have them on the table in 30 minutes. The recipe can be doubled, and if, for any reason, you are uneasy about cooking in a microwave, the squares can be baked in a conventional oven. One caution! Cook these just until they are firm. They dry out quickly when overcooked and you'll be unhappy with them if that happens. The rice squares are not gourmet fare but they help make a lovely family meal special. Here's the recipe.

Savory Spinach and Rice Cakes...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
2 large eggs
1/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup cooked long grain rice
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup Cheddar cheese

Directions:
1) Spray an 8 x 4-inch microwave dish with cooking spray.
2) Melt butter in a small skillet set over medium heat. Add onions and saute until soft, about3 to 5 minutes.
3) Place eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt and rosemary in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
Stir in spinach, rice, sauteed onions and Parmesan cheese. Transfer to prepared microwave dish.
4) Microwave, uncovered, on high for 6-8 minutes. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese; microwave 1-2 minutes longer or until firm and a thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Yield: 4 servings.







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51 comments :

Renee Paj said...

Ive never made a rice cake..but this looks wonderful. Love the flavor combos! It would be lovely with some roasted lemon chicken!

Gloria Baker said...

Look amazing and delicious dear Mary, blessings in this day, gloria

Young Adventures... said...

My family loves spinach and I think this dish would go over well. I like the idea of not turning on the oven as well in the heat! :)

Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook said...

Looks delicious, what a great use of leftover rice. Love all that cheesy goodness mixed in with the spinach and rice.

Andrea @ Vegvacious said...

This looks delicious!! I have some fresh rosemary that would be perfect in this!

Little Inbox said...

That's a great recipe to use up the left-over rice. Both the dessert and the slow cooked chicken looks great too.

Katarina said...

Looks once again very delicious! Have a great day!

Tanna said...

Family fare lights my fire!! Love this one, Mary! Hope you have an incredilble day. blessings ~ tanna

Linda Starr said...

With just the two of us we often have left over rice, when I was young I cooked white rice and I'd put milk and cinnamon and sugar on it and eat it for breakfast the next morning. Now I use brown and wild rice which isn't inexpensive and I think it woulnd't be good for breakfast, this recipe is right up my alley to use up my left over rice, thanks so much, this rice cake looks so delicious.

Unknown said...

Wow - this looks really great and easy! This one's going in my recipe book - thanks!

StephenC said...

This is the first recipe I recall reading that called for a microwave. And wouldn't you know, we don't have one since moving from Denver. Always looking for something to do with leftover rice though.

Diane said...

This looks interesting, I have never made anything quite like this; I have bookmarked. Diane

claire said...

I can honestly say I have never had a rice cake... You seem to be an expert though! Adding this to my bookmarked recipes as we speak!

Anonymous said...

What an interesting concept. I was expecting the dry packed rice cakes. These look delicious!

Lucy Lu said...

i'm gonna try this for sure! looks sooooo yummy and i'm in love with spinach :D


Have a nice day and btw. check out my new post, finally :)
Lucy,

That Girl said...

Coincidentally, my coworker and I were just taking about different ways to prepare spinach yesterday!

Lucie said...

No microwave, but I would love to make these and serve them with a light salad!

Su m said...

Great recipe, I to have a brother in law that only eats spinach if they are cooked in a disguised way, so this is absolutely perfect!

Tracy's Living Cookbook said...

A very interesting recipe- one that I am sure I would love! Always love to read your blog!

turmericnspice said...

it looks amazing ...love rice cakes...a friend of mine is soo good with spinach rice cakes that it is her signature dish !! yours looks as good as hers ....wish i cld taste it

Ruth said...

I've never seen a recipe like this before - your blog is always an education! I'm interested to try it though as all the ingredients sound great!

Jessica | Cajunlicious said...

Mary, this looks amazing....a perfect bite of comfort!

Unknown said...

This looks delightfully and filling

nanny said...

I haven't made a rice cake either but they sound devine!!! and this one must be the best ever!!!

CkretsGalore said...

Never had a rice cake like that before but you had me at cheese & spinach!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I have printed this and cannot WAIT to try it!! I may also try to find some of your rice cake recipes. If I cook it in the oven, would it be 350 for about 25 minutes? It looks SO good!

Clint said...

Looks and sounds really great. Of course, this bad boy actually likes spinach, thanks to my mom who made me eat it when I was a kid.

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

On a steame of a day like today, using the microwave seems like an extra excellent idea! This is a crustless quiche!

Miss Migas said...

I have never had a rice cake! I must try this one... I love spinach!!

Lenia said...

Great combination of flavors!It looks amazing!

Kim said...

i ate rice cakes a lot growing up! this one is definitely very unique~ love it!

Maris (in Good taste) said...

This could not look any more perfect! Love this!

Susan..... said...

Gourmet fare is in the eye of the beholder and this is up there. Everything old is new again, Mary.
I just love baked rice of any kind, Arroz con Pollo and baked paella both being my favs. This recipe sounds delicious. I can't wait to see what you post tomorrow.

Cooking Creation said...

I always have leftover rice and this is a lovely way to use it up! YUM! Thanks for sharing :)

A Bitchin' Kitchen said...

Thanks for linking to us Mary!

This looks like great comfort food! I would probably end up eating it as my entree too!

- Maggie

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

EVERYTHING you post, I want to make! I love a recipe that uses leftover rice! What a beautiful dish!
Yvonne

Glamour Drops said...

Yum, and I imagine they would also be good cold at a picnic too? I will be trying this one out with all the spinach that is going nuts in my veggie garden right now. (Somebody forgot to tell it that it's winter!)

Joanne said...

Wow. I've never heard of ANYTHING like this before! SOunds super tasty!

Ryan said...

I've never had a rice cake but love all of the ingredients included so it sounds wonderful! It does sound like a great idea for a side dish with chicken and I love that you can prepare it for a week night meal. We often have leftover rice so this is right up my alley! Thanks for sharing!

Y said...

This is one of the few things I have never read of, or had! It's great learning things from you Mary, you are great :)

Fresh Garden said...

Wonderful! Fantastic!
Thanks, Mary! ;)

Unknown said...

I know you have posted a rice square before that I have tried and plan on making again so I can post about it... so I know just this one is going to be amazing too!!

Anonymous said...

what a great idea! Thanks Mary :)

David said...

Mary, This recipe is very different but it looks great! A terrific idea for a main side dish with dinner... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

dr.antony said...

That looks really great and tempting.

Magic of Spice said...

This is the best looking rice cake I have ever seen...this would certainly win over non-spinach fans :)

Elaine said...

I have only seen and tasted those horrible rice cakes in the store that taste like paper. This looks fabulous!

Hazel - Chicken in a Cherry Sauce said...

How interesting - never seen anything like it before but it looks sooo tasty!

Sanjeeta kk said...

Wow..a cake with rice and veggie..you are wonderful Mary!

sheila @ Elements said...

My husband and I are crazy for spinach and we love spinach and egg combos of any kind. This is something we'll have to make because certainly we'd both love it! :)

Tanya said...

I might have to try and veganize this...it looks tasty!

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