Ginger Chicken and Sausage with Brown Rice, Vegetables, and Spinach

Here's a great recipe to use if you are trying to find something healthy (especially if you omit the sausage) AND filling to eat for dinner. Please don't let the number of ingredients put you off, because although it does take a little over an hour to prepare, it is very easy to do. For just two people, this recipe will make meals for just over a week (depending on portion size). In other words, this recipe makes A LOT!!

Also, you can add just about anything to this recipe that you want. I have used pork instead of chicken and it tastes just as good. Feel free to experiment. This recipe is a great base from which to play around with different combinations of veggies and meats. Oh, it also goes great with Naan bread (an Indian bread). This is a flat bread, you can use it as a spoon to scoop the rice mixture. Very tasty!!

What you need:

• 3 Cups brown Rice (I used California Brown Rice)
• 1 Chicken breast
• 1 Package: Sausage (For a healthier meal omit the sausage and add another bag of frozen veggies) :)
• Olive oil (Used to sauté the veggies and cook the chicken)
• 1 Onion
• 1 Pepper (any color you want)
• 1 Package of frozen Vegetables- any kind you like
• Fresh Spinach: as much as can fit in your wok/pan: about 3 handfuls (you can use frozen if you wish, just drain and then continue to follow recipe). Here's a photo of the amount of spinach I used. As you scroll down through the recipe, you will see another photo of the spinach after it has cooked down

• 3 tsp. Curry (used in rice)
• Rice vinegar-(optional and to taste)
• Garlic (to taste)
• Ginger (to taste) (I used fresh and shredded it, but you can use powdered)
• To shred fresh ginger: take a spoon and remove the skin (this is the easiest way I have found to do this), then use a regular vegetable shredder
• Soy sauce
• 1-2 tsp  Rosemary
• Onion salt I use this because it add a little more flavor than regular salt, but regular salt will work just fine)
• Pepper (my seasoned pepper is great in this. Just follow the link for the recipe)
• Lemon juice
• Feta cheese
• Wok- optional, but very handy

Putting it together:

• First, let's get the rice going

Rice

• In large pot, place 3 cups of brown rice
• Add 7 cups of water: Add 2 1/2 cups of water PER cup of rice (or use your favorite rice recipe or the recipe which comes with your rice)
• Add 1 tsp of onion salt (or regular salt if you prefer)
• Add 3 tsp of curry (This adds a nice bit of heat and flavor to the rice
• Stir to combine
• Cover lid and bring to a boil
• When boiling, turn heat to low and simmer 45 minutes or until all water is absorbed by the rice (it usually takes about 45-50 minutes total)

Spinach

• Add olive oil to wok/pan and then add spinach
• While the spinach sautés, the volume of the spinach will greatly decrease
• Add salt, pepper, and garlic (about 1-2 tsp minced garlic)
• When spinach is almost done, add a few sprinkles of rice vinegar and soy sauce
• Cook a minute or two, drain, and then place in big bowl (this is the bowl Everything will go into.

Sausage

• Cook sausage until done and place in large bowl

Onions
Photo of diced onions, peppers, and minced ginger...

• Dice onions and sauté (don't forget to season with salt & pepper) until translucent
• Remove and place in bowl with sausage

Peppers
Here's a photo of the onions and peppers...

• Chop or dice (however you like them) peppers and sauté (season me please, with salt and pepper)
• Place in bowl with onions and sausage (Yes, everything will be placed in the same bowl and mixed together)

Frozen Veggies

• Add frozen veggies to wok or pan and sauté
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Add rice vinegar to taste (just a little goes a long way)
• Add ginger to taste (about 1-2 tsp)
• When almost heated, add some soy sauce (a splash or two)
• Continue cooking until done
• Place in bowl with everything else

Chicken

• Add chicken to wok or pan
• Add rosemary
• Add ginger
• When almost cooked, add lemon juice (about 1-2 tsp.)
• Add rice vinegar
• Add soy sauce
• Continue cooking until chicken is done
• Place in bowl (now, there's a shock)
• Add Feta cheese and mix well

When the rice is done, add it to the bowl and mix well to incorporate. This is why you need a big bowl for this.



Once cooled, you can store in the refrigerator and use it for your dinners.


To Heat
Place in bowl and heat in Chef Mike (Microwave) on medium for 3 minutes. Stir and then heat again until, well... heated. Then, if you wish, top it off with some soy sauce.

Hope you enjoy it!