Vary Amin'anana
Vary Amin'anana, meaning 'rice with greens,' is a comforting and simple Malagasy one-pot dish. It combines rice, leafy greens, and often ground meat, flavored with aromatics like onion, garlic, and ginger. It's a popular and nourishing meal, sometimes eaten for breakfast.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 medium White onion(diced)
- 5 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch Fresh ginger(grated)
- 1 medium Tomato(diced)
- 450 g Spinach(frozen, or 3 cups fresh (collard greens or kale can be substituted))
- 1 cup Rice
- 2 cups Water
- 2 pieces Bay leaves
- Salt(to taste)
- Pepper(to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 2
Add the ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
- 3
Stir in the diced tomato and cook for 2-3 minutes until it begins to soften.
- 4
Add the spinach (or other greens), rice, water, and bay leaves to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- 5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 6
Remove the bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
💡 Tip: This dish is often served with a spicy relish called 'sakay'.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓You can substitute collard greens, kale, or Swiss chard for spinach.
- ✓For a quicker version, use pre-cooked rice.
- ✓This dish is hearty enough to be a main course, or it can be served as a side.
🔄 Variations
- Omit the meat for a vegetarian version.
- Add other vegetables like diced carrots or peas.