Jordanian Spring Greens Soup

Description
Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Ingredients

 * ½ cup olive oil
 * 1 small onion, cut into small dice
 * 1 small leek, white part only, very thinly sliced
 * 4 to 5 small green garlics, white parts only, very thinly sliced
 * 1 small fennel bulb, cut into small dice
 * 1 small bunch chard, stems and leaves separated
 * kosher salt
 * ⅔ cup Italian rice, preferably Vialone Nano
 * pinch of red pepper flakes
 * 2 pounds spring greens, a mix of arugula, stinging nettles, watercress, sorrel, young beet or turnip greens and spinach
 * black pepper in a mill

Directions

 * 1) Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot set over medium-low heat, add the onion and leek and saute until limp and fragrant, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring now and then.
 * 2) Add the garlic and fennel and cook 5 minutes more.
 * 3) Meanwhile, cut the chard stems into small dice and add them to the pot with the other vegetables.
 * 4) Season with salt and continue to cook until all of the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes more.
 * 5) Add 6 cups water and stir in the rice and the red pepper flakes.
 * 6) Increase the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
 * 7) Meanwhile, cut the chard into ½-inch crosswise slices.
 * 8) If using stinging nettles, use tongs to plunge them into boiling salted water, cook for 30 seconds and rinse in cool water.
 * 9) Stack the nettles and cut them into ¼-inch wide crosswise slices.
 * 10) Cut the sorrel and beet or turnip greens into thin crosswise slices.
 * 11) If the spinach leaves are small, leave them whole; if they are large, cut them as you have cut the other greens.
 * 12) Add the greens and stir until they are wilted.
 * 13) Add 2 cups water and simmer 10 minutes.
 * 14) Taste, correct for salt and season generously with black pepper.