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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

School has begun, which means quick, easy, and still nutritious dinners are back on the menu! Growing up, my mom was the queen of meals like this. Even though my brothers and I were homeschooled, quick and easy dinners were still a must. So, over the next few weeks keep an eye out for articles of nothing but yummy, healthy, and quick recipes that are all tried and true by my family while growing up!

The first recipe never really had a name but was basically an Italian rice bowl. Also, my mom never measured her ingredients, she always added them as she saw fit. While I did include measurements below, feel free to add or take away as you like!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground pork or beef
• 2 cups of cooked rice (either brown or white works)
• 1 can of artichoke hearts drained and chopped
• 1 cup of thawed frozen spinach chopped
• ½-1 can of sliced black olives (add more or less to taste)
• 1-2 cloves of garlic pressed
• Olive oil to coat the pan before cooking
• Salt and pepper to taste
• An Italian herb blend to taste

Directions:

If not already cooked, cook the rice.

In a large skillet, brown the meat and drain off the drippings. Take out of the pan and set to the side.

Chop up all the artichokes, spinach, olives, and garlic. Set to side.

Drizzle the skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot add the rice to crisp it up a bit. Once it’s almost done, add the chopped veggies and meat and cook all together.

Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.

That is literally it! Feel free to add other toppings such as parmesan cheese or an Italian dressing of some kind.

Depending on if your rice is precooked or not, this recipe can take you as little as 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish!

Stay on the lookout for more easy and healthy recipes for busy school nights!