Jade Rice Bowl

Vegan MoFo Theme: Healthy Vegan Brunch (and Breakfast) from A to Z

Today's recipe strays a little from the idea of a typical breakfast dish, incorporating a slightly unusual blend of ingredients that you wouldn't think of for a standard American breakfast - beets, walnuts, ginger, spinach and jade rice.

Jade rice is white rice infused with bamboo extract to give it its elegant green color and distinct earthy flavor. White rice is not something I use very often as it is lacking the nutritional benefits found in brown rice (fiber, protein, etc), but the jade rice is just so beautiful and uniquely flavored that it's a nice switch.

Beets are such a great detoxifying vegetable, perfect this time of year as we make the transition from summer to fall. If you are able to purchase the beets with greens attached, go ahead and sub the spinach with the beet greens in this recipe. They have a little bit stronger of a flavor than the spinach does, but it goes wonderfully with the dish. The walnuts are a great source of omega 3, which your body needs to help fight inflammation and to support your immune system.

The recipe calls for a roasted beet, as I think they tend to have a better flavor, but you could just as easily peel the beet, dice it and cook it along with the rice. It will take away the light green color, however, and give you pink rice instead.

Jade Rice Bowl 
Ingredients
1/2 Cup jade rice
1 Cup water
1 Tablespoon grated ginger
1/4 Cup walnuts, chopped
1 small roasted beet, diced  - about 1/2 Cup
1/2 cup fresh spinach, chiffonade

Optional Add Ons
1/4 Cup coconut milk - for a touch of cream and sweetness
drizzle of walnut oil
sprinkle of nutritional yeast - for a touch of savory

Directions
1. Roast beets ahead of time, or buy pre-roasted beets for convenience (Trader Joe's sells packages in the produce fridge).

2. Bring rice and water to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and rice is done. Stir in spinach to allow to wilt.

3. Add remaining ingredients and toss to combine.

Makes two servings. Or one large serving for a hearty meal.