Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your paella cooks evenly when it's time to bake.
Dice the onion and mince the garlic. These two ingredients will be your aromatic base. The aroma that fills your kitchen will be irresistible!
In an ovenproof pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook them for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent. Add the salt and stir well.
Stir in the brown rice and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. This step helps to toast the rice slightly, giving it a nuttier flavor. The rice should begin to look slightly opaque.
Add 2 cups of vegetable broth to the pan and bring everything to a simmer. This will be the liquid that cooks the rice, so make sure it's well mixed.
Once it reaches a simmer, remove the pan from heat, cover it tightly with foil, and place it in the oven. Let it bake for about 30 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed, and the rice is tender.
While the rice cooks, prepare your vegetables. Chop the mushrooms and cut the asparagus into 1/2 inch pieces. Set these aside for later use.
In a separate skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chopped mushrooms, asparagus, and spinach. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the veggies soften and the spinach wilts down.
Once the veggies have cooked, add the remaining vegetable broth, milk, and the remaining butter to the skillet. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer.
Finally, stir in the cooked rice mixture from the oven, return everything to a simmer, and cook until the liquid has mostly absorbed and the rice is tender. This will create a harmonious blend of flavors.
Serve your Vegetarian Paella hot, with fresh pineapple chunks on the side. Enjoy this beautiful dish with loved ones!
