Creamy rice with braised leek, sautéed red cabbage, and light feta-orange thyme cream

Name: Creamy rice with braised leek, sautéed red cabbage, and light feta-orange thyme cream
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterránea contemporánea
Ingredients: 11.3 oz short-grain rice; 10.6 oz leek; 6.3 oz red cabbage; 4.2 oz onion; 2 cloves garlic; 4.7 cups vegetable stock; 0.4 cup white wine; 4.2 oz feta cheese; 0.3 cup plain Greek yogurt; 1 whole orange; 2 tbsp fresh thyme; 1.5 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper

An original and elegant creamy rice featuring slowly browned leek, sautéed red cabbage for a sweet vegetal note, and a light feta cream scented with orange and thyme. The result is creamy, fresh, and balanced.

20 minPrep

35 minCook

55 minTotal

4Servings

VegetarianGluten-Free

Ingredients

Adjust servings

320 g short-grain rice (tipo bomba or similar)
300 g leek (solo the parte blanca and verde clara, en medias lunas)
180 g red cabbage (cut in strips finas)
120 g onion (chopped fina)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
1100 ml vegetable stock (hot)
100 ml white wine (dry)
120 g feta cheese (desmenuzado)
80 g plain Greek yogurt (without sugar)
1 unit orange (zest fina and 30 ml/2 tbsp of zumo)
6 g fresh thyme (solo the leaves)
20 g butter (for terminar)
30 ml extra virgin olive oil (divided)
6 g salt (or to taste)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)

Nutrition facts

per serving

465 kcal

Calories

12 g

Protein

60 g

Carbs

17 g

Fat

4 g

Fiber

56 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

DairySulfites

Instructions

1
1. Heat the vegetable stock in a saucepan over low heat and keep it hot without boiling.
2
2. In a wide skillet or shallow pot, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook the leek over medium-low heat for 8 minutes, stirring, until tender and lightly golden.
3
3. Add the onion and cook for 4 more minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4
4. Add the red cabbage, a pinch of salt, and some black pepper. Sauté for 3 minutes until it starts to soften but still keeps some texture. Remove 3 tablespoons of this mixture and reserve for finishing.
5
5. Add the short-grain rice to the pot and toast it for 1 minute, stirring so it is well coated with the oil and vegetable juices.
6
6. Pour in the white wine and cook for 2 minutes, until the alcohol has almost completely evaporated.
7
7. Start adding the hot vegetable stock, about one ladle at a time, stirring frequently. Let the rice absorb most of the liquid before adding more. Continue for 16 to 18 minutes, until the rice is creamy and perfectly cooked.
8
8. While the rice cooks, make the light cream: in a bowl combine the feta cheese, Greek yogurt, orange zest, 30 ml (2 tbsp) orange juice, thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon of the remaining olive oil, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of hot water. Blend or mash until smooth and light.
9
9. When the rice is ready, turn off the heat and stir in the butter. Adjust salt and pepper, mix well, and let it rest for 1 minute for extra silkiness.
10
10. Serve the creamy rice immediately. Spoon the light feta-orange thyme cream on top, finish with the reserved red cabbage, and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
11
11. If you prefer to warm the plates before serving, you can heat them for 5 minutes in a preheated oven at 80°C / 175°F and then plate the rice.

Chef tips

For a creamier texture, stir frequently but not excessively so the grains do not break. Use finely grated orange zest without the white pith to avoid bitterness.

Substitutions

You can replace feta with mild goat cheese, though the flavor will be creamier and less salty. Fresh thyme can be replaced with fresh marjoram. For an alcohol-free version, swap the white wine for the same amount of vegetable stock plus a few extra drops of orange juice.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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Illustrative image
Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
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Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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