Sometimes I don’t feel like doing anything and I just want something simple and easy. I like to be prepared for these kind of days, and I always have recipes how to make something tasty (sometimes healthy) with consuming as little time as possible. Today’s meal is perfect example of quick, easy and very flavorful dish.

Lahanorizo is a Greek dish which main ingredient (and a star) is cabbage. Lahanorizo literally means cabbage and rice and this dish belongs to a wide group of Greek vegetarian dishes. You can find recipes with spinach, leeks, fresh herbs, etc..  It’s mainly eaten as a main course and usually is served with feta cheese, bread and little bit of lemon juice. It can be great vegan meal if you take out feta cheese. 

It’s filling and fresh just like most of the Greek cuisine. 

Ingredients for 4 portions:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 leek, thinly slices
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 can tomatoes
• 2-3 cups cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup basmati rice (or other long-grain rice)
• 1 cup of hot water
• 1/5 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp sugar
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• feta (optional)

1. Sauté onion and leek in olive oil over medium heat until soft (5-10 min).
2. After vegetables are soft and golden add garlic and cook it for 1 min.
3. Add chopped cabbage and mix until the vegetable is coated with olive oil. Cook for 3 min, stirring continuously, then add carrot, can of tomatoes, seasoning, salt, sugar, tomato paste. Cook until the cabbage wilts (~10 minutes)
4. Add the rice and cup of hot water. Bring to boil, cover the pot and reduce the heat to low.  Simmer for 15 minutes (until rice is done).
5. Serve with a little bit of feta (optional).