Minestra di Riso e Spinaci  (Spinach and Rice Soup)

Ingredients you will need are as follows:

• 675 gm/ 1 1/2 lb fresh young Spinach
• 45 ml / 3tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• 1 small fresh red chilli,seeded and finely chopped
• 115 gm / 4oz risotto rice
• 1.2 lt / 2 pints vegetable stock
• 60 mls / 4 tbsp grated pecorino cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  

1. Place the spinach in a large pan with just the water that clings to its leaves after washing.Add large pinch salt. Heat gently until spinach has wilted,remove from the hear,drain reseving any liquid.
2. Chop the spinach or use a food processor, until the spinach is almost a purée.
3. Heat the oil in a large pan,gently cook the onion,garlic and chilli for 5 minutes until softened.Stir in the rice until well coated,then pour in the stock and the reserved spinach liquid.Bring to the boil,then simmer for a further 10 minutes.
4. Add the spinach,season to taste. cook for another 5 minutes until the rice is tender.
5. Serve with the pecorino cheese,can be subsituted with parmesan-

Buon Appetito