Kiymali Ispanak (Turkish Spinach Dish with Ground Beef)

Some more Turkish food that is naturally gluten-free, casein-free, soy-free, and egg-free (GFCFSFEF)! Both kids love this! Go spinach!

Ingredients:

1/4 to 1/2 pound ground beef/turkey
1 large or 2 medium yellow/white onion(s)
2 pounds fresh spinach
3 big soup spoons full of tomato paste (no need to be exact!)
3 big soup spoons of white rice (no need to be exact!)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Dice the onions. Wash the spinach well. Cut off bottom stems. Chop the leaves. Rinse the rice until water runs clear-ish.

Directions:

Put oil in a large pot (like a soup or pasta-size pot). Put all onions in pot. Cook on medium heat (stirring frequently) until onions become pink-ish. Add in the meat and keep cooking until meat is browned. Mix in tomato paste, salt, and pepper; blend flavors. Add spinach and cover pot with lid. (It will seem like a lot of spinach but it reduces as it cooks!) The spinach will cook in its own liquid, but stir it every now and then to make sure your meat isn't burning on the bottom - don't have the heat up too high! Cook until the spinach is soft/wilted. Add the rice and 2 cups of water. Cover and cook on low heat until rice is cooked.

Serving:

You will need to serve this in a bowl (kind of like a stew?); it won't work well on a plate. This dish is commonly served with plain yogurt, but you'll forego the yogurt for the CF'ers in your group! Note that this is an entree by itself and not a side dish. You have your meat, your veggie, and your carb all in one bowl.