There will always be those dishes that the slightest smell or taste brings you right back to childhood. While some might be as simple as a soup or sandwich, mine is Arroz de Grelos, (Broccoli rabe rice).
I know, not your first guess ,but this particular dish is one that from as far as i can remember my mom always made.
I think mostly the memories are so strong because as a kid I was not that big of a fan of this dish. I knew the moment my mom began to boil that broccoli rabe that I would not be happy with the dinner choice.
But of course, as you get older, your taste for certain foods change, and i'm happy to report that i am now a BIG broccoli rabe fan!
A little bit of background on broccoli rabe.. it is a member of the brassica family which is known for being a vegetable family that is packed with all sorts of nutrients, like zinc, potassium, calcium, folate and vitamins A, C and K. ( no wonder my mom made it so much)
The combination of the fluffy rice with the bitterness of the broccoli rabe pairs well with any meat or even a pan fried fish, which is what i grew up eating it with!
Ingredients
1 cup of white rice
1 bunch of broccoli rabe
1 large onion
¼ cup of olive oil
2 garlic cloves
3 cups of boiling water
Salt & Pepper
Recipe
Wash the greens and roughly chop them. Peel the onion and garlic and chop finely.
Heat a medium saucepan, saute the onion in the olive oil until translucent. Stir in the garlic and greens and cook until tender.
Add the rice and mix well.
Add the boiling water, season with salt and pepper and allow to boil again.
Cover the pan, reduce the heat and simmer until the rice is cooked around 20 minutes.