Egg Rice Bowl with Basil Oil

Serves 5

Undeniably, this is comfort food in a bowl. This method of scrambling eggs will keep them moist and light, nothing like those uninspiring dry, rubbery eggs. Taking the time to roast the tomatoes amplifies their sweetness, while a touch of basil-infused oil adds bright, fresh flavour.

1 cup (250 ml) long-grain brown rice
1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt, divided
1/2 cup (125 ml) packed fresh basil
1/4 cup (60 ml) + 1 tsp (5 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups (500 ml) cherry tomatoes
2 garlic cloves, chopped
6 large free-range eggs
3 tsp (15 ml) unsalted butter
3/4 cup (180 ml) shredded mozzarella
6 tsp (30 ml) finely chopped chives
1 cup (250 ml) cooked or canned black beans
2 cups (500 ml) baby spinach

Place rice and 1 1/2 cups (350 ml) water in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, add 1/8 tsp (0.5 ml) salt, reduce heat to low and simmer covered until rice is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes. Fluff rice with fork.

Place basil, 1/4 cup (60 ml) oil, 6 tsp (30 ml) water and a pinch of salt in blender. Blend until smooth, wiping down sides of container as needed. Pour into fine-mesh sieve set over bowl and press down with spatula to extract as much oil as possible. Discard solids.

Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). In large bowl, toss together 1/8 tsp (0.5 ml) salt, 1 tsp (5 ml) oil, tomatoes and garlic. Place on baking sheet and cook until softened and beginning to shrivel, about 12 minutes.

Break eggs into bowl. Melt butter in frying pan over medium heat. When butter foams, add unbeaten eggs to pan. Season with black pepper, then beat eggs continuously with wooden spoon, gently scraping cooked egg from the bottom of the pan as you go. Just before eggs are done, stir in cheese and chives.

Divide rice among bowls and top with an equal amount of beans, spinach, eggs and tomatoes. Drizzle basil oil over top.

Each serving contains: 1883 kilojoules; 19 g protein; 24 g total fat (7 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 41 g total carbohydrates (3 g sugars, 5 g fibre); 313 mg sodium

source: "Rice Bowls", alive Australia #23, Autumn 2015