Spinach and tomato rice pilaf
Spinach and tomato rice pilaf is a flavorful, one-pot rice dish where grains are simmered with sautéed spinach, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. Common ingredients include long-grain rice, fresh or frozen spinach, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs like cumin or turmeric. This comforting dish has roots in various cuisines, including Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mediterranean cooking, each with its own regional variations.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This pilaf is primarily a carbohydrate-rich dish from the rice, but the spinach and tomatoes add valuable fiber, vitamins A and C, and iron, making it more nutritious than plain rice. A typical serving contains roughly 250-350 calories, with the fat content depending on the amount of oil or butter used in preparation.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 220 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbs | 40 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Iron | 3.5 mg |
| Vitamin A | 300 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 25 mg |
| Vitamin K | 150 mcg |
| Folate | 120 mcg |
| Magnesium | 50 mg |
| Manganese | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, pilaf is a versatile cooking method found across many cuisines, symbolizing the universal appeal of seasoned rice as a staple. Nutritionally, the combination of spinach and tomatoes is clever, as the vitamin C in tomatoes helps enhance the absorption of iron from the spinach.
