More About Rice

If you crave for more variety in your life, try these different types of rice, each with its own unique taste.
Today, rice is a staple for almost half the world's population- especially in parts of Asia and the Caribbean. The major rice-growing states in the United States are Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri and Mississippi.
Rice is usually classified by its size- long, medium and short grain.
Yet, when a recipe calls for  Forbidden rice, that is the trademark name for a medium- grain Chinese black rice. It is rich in iron and has a fragrant aroma, nutty taste and black to purple color. It is certified organic from Lotus Foods. It takes about 30 minutes to cook.

Welhani: Developed by the Lundberg Family Farms. The fragrant rice is a reddish- brown hybrid of Indian basmati and long grain brown rice. Takes about 45 minutes to cook.

Jasmine: This, a more familiar name rice, is originally from Thailand. Though, it is now also grown in the USA. It contains 10% rice bran, giving it a light tan color and an aroma and flavor similar to popcorn or roasted nuts. Takes about 45 minutes to cook.

When cooking these items you can simmer-in flavor. Use flavorful broth, instead of water to cook rice. You can also crush a few cloves of garlic and simmer with your rice.
Try topping or mixing in a pasta sauce, pesto, tamari or a coconut curry sauce.

You can "veg" out and go nuts. Saute assorted vegetables or nuts in olive oil, butter or macadamia nut oil, and add cooked rice. Also try mushrooms and shallots; celery, onions, and slivered almonds; spinach, garlic, sliced artichokes hearts, and pine nuts.....the combinations you can create are endless