Brown Spinach Rice aka Check Rice – A healthy African way of cooking rice spiced up with curry powder, garlic and smoked paprika. Vegan
I started off wanting to make chuck rice or check rice and decided to throw in a few more spices, to make a recipe that can stand on its own. Chuck or Check rice is a Liberian way of cooking rice – think Mexican green rice.
If you want to make traditional chuck rice omit all the spices and go with the spinach, okra and salt. If you want a really flavorful, green rice side dish spiced up. Then go all the way and just dump everything in. Why stop half way?
Traditionally chuck rice is usually made with jute leaves to give the rice a slimy consistency. But not everyone uses jute leaves or can find it. Most people replace it with spinach and okra.
However, here, I did not use okra just went with the spinach because my son does not care for anything slimy.
I tried to make this rice even healthier by replacing white rice with brown rice. As mentioned in another post, hubby brought home 25 pounds of brown rice and I have got to use it up. I think he likes this because I have made it a couple of times now and no complaints. Like it or not, I would be making more this Brown Spinach Rice.
This rice consists of parsley, garlic, onions, paprika with a jolt from curry powder and a kick from cayenne pepper.
Pair it up with this stovetop salmon  here  or this Liberian chicken gravy here.
 Enjoy!
Watch How to Make It
Brown Spinach Rice (Check Rice)
Ingredients
- 2 cups brown rice
- 2 -3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1-2 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- 6-8 cups fresh spinach
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder optional
- 4 cups chicken stock or water
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt or more adjust to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a food processor blend spinach and parsley. Set aside
- Wash rice until water runs clear. Drain water.
- Heat a saucepan with oil. Then add onions, garlic, paprika, curry, scotch bonnet pepper (optional), and sauté for about a minute.
- Stir in rice to the pan, about 2 minutes, then add 4 cups of stock/water, bring to a boil reduce heat, and simmer until rice is almost cooked- about 15 -18 minutes into cooking.
- Then add spinach and parsley mixture. Combine and mix thoroughly.
- Continue cooking, for a few more minutes until rice is completely cooked. You may add more stock if needed.
- Adjust for salt and pepper. Serve warm
Nutrition Information:
Michelle says
What dishes should we serve this with?
Rhonda says
I just see that you did use smoked paprika. I think I may have confused this one with another recipe where it was only paprika. Sorry about that. 🙂
Rhonda says
Love your site! Can I use smoked paprika in this or should it be regular? Also, what adjustments should I make if I am using regular brown rice and not parboiled? Thank you.
Valentina Zhogan says
Hello! My boyfriend is from Kenya and I made this recipe and he absolutely loved it. Your recipes are amazing.
imma africanbites says
Yaay! Glad he liked it. And thank you for stopping by, Valentina! 🙂
Renee says
I had a bag of baby spinach and some brown rice on hand so I did a quick Internet search for recipes — and your recipe came up. We do not have a Carib or African heritage, but we do love to try new foods and this looked like it would be delicious. The “brown rice” called for in the recipe definitely needs to be clarified that it is for “parboiled brown rice”. I figured this out while reviewing the recipe and made the adjustments needed – cooked the brown rice for 40 minutes in chicken stock. Sauteed the onion and spices with some olive oil in a separate pan. Once the rice was cooked I added it to the onion/spice mixture, then stirred in the spinach/parsley. Covered the combined ingredients and let it sit for 10 minutes to blend the flavors. As a personal preference I added slightly more cumin, curry and cayenne – we like things spicy 🙂 Served it with chicken strips sauteed in olive oil. Perfect dinner! This will definitely be added to my “make again” recipe stack.
ImmaculateBites says
Great! Thanks for the feedback.
Queen says
If I wanted to add the okrs when sjould i add it
ImmaculateBites says
I would add it towards the last 5 minutes of cooking . Then mix it up when you add the spinach mixture.
Tamara says
I’m knocked out by your site Imma. I want to try everything. I love rice and I’m happy to have this new way of preparing it, and with an added veggie to boot. I used jasmine brown rice, and had to cook for 20 additional minutes. Delicious!! I’m a fan…
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Girl! So glad you took the time out to try it. Happy Holidays!!!
Faith says
I’m Liberian and I eat this once in a while. Nice to see your spin on it.
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks for stopping by!
mercy says
I am so loving this blog
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Mercy!
Cp says
Hello, thank you for the recipes and tips. Questions: was your rice parboiled brown rice or regular? Asking because the brown rices that I use have to cook for like 40 mins, which is about twice as long as how long the rice in this recipe is cooked.
Also, do you have any recommendations for substations of white rice when it comes to your dish? Ex. Bulgur, couscous, or just brown rice? I’m trying to findo better alternatives for my husband. Thank you so much.
Cp says
Substitions*
Find*
ImmaculateBites says
It is parboiled brown rice. If using couscous you can saute the spices and onions, add stock, bring to a boil, throw in the couscous and turn off the heat . Let it sit for about 5- 7 minutes or until tender.
Nicole says
I winged this last night and it was a hit! I just added a dash of cayenne pepper because I wasn’t sure how much to use since its not on the ingredients list. I had tried a similar rice at a restaurant, but theirs was cilantro instead of basil/parsley. My family really enjoyed this last night!!!
ImmaculateBites says
Yay! Another win! Glad it was a hit with the family
Amber says
This is the most amazing rice ever. Thank you so much for sharing
ImmaculateBites says
My pleasure ! Glad to hear it worked out well for you.
Erica says
I am very excited to make this dish. This will be my first time making a non-traditional southern side dish. Your recipe seems very easy to make. Did I say I am excited. Lol
ImmaculateBites says
Yay!! Yes you did !! Am excited to see how it works out for you. Thanks !!!
Vinnie says
Hi.. This sounds great!
One question… I want to use my rice cooker.
After I saute the onions, garlic, paprika, curry pepper, cayenne pepper,
can I put the spinach/parsley mixture in with the rice at the same time?
Thanks
ImmaculateBites says
I don’t see why not.
Chinenye says
What is paprika and where is it found
ImmaculateBites says
Paprika is dried ground bell pepper. It can be found in major supermarkets depending on your location.