Canadian Giveaway: A Year's Supply of Minute Rice (12 boxes)

Attention Canadian residents! Minute Rice and I are holding a contest for a year's supply (12 boxes) of Minute Rice to one lucky Canadian winner! Rice is an excellent gluten free option that is incredibly versatile and simple to use. Minute Rice makes meal prep even easier since the traditional long cooking time is shaved down, meaning you can get meals together in a flash!

 



What Exactly is "Minute Rice?"

“Contrary to common misconceptions, instant rice is as nutritious as long cook rice,” said Norma D’Onofrio, Senior Brand Manager, Minute Rice, explaining that instant rice is long grain rice that is simply pre-cooked, and then dried, in order to significantly cut down on the cooking time required by consumers.

With “pre-cooked rice” as its only ingredient, Minute Rice^® is 100% natural and Non-GMO Project Verified (nongmoproject.org). Available in two varieties – Premium Long Grain White Rice and Premium Whole Grain Brown Rice – Minute Rice^® takes only five minutes to prepare for white rice and 10 minutes for brown rice.

“Minute Rice® is quick, convenient and healthy, turning out just right every time,” D’Onofrio said. “It’s prepared in a fraction of the time of long cook rice, giving you back  the time you’d spend in the kitchen so you can focus on what’s really important.”

Tips for Cooking Minute Rice

Top 10 Rice Cooking Tips from Chef John Higgins, Director, George Brown Chef School

Boil in broth: When boiling rice, substitute water for broth to add flavour to the rice itself and your dish. Chicken broth, beef broth or vegetable stock are excellent choices. Low-sodium broths add a punch of flavour without the added salt.

Try coconut: Cook rice in coconut milk for a mildly sweet flavoured rice which pairs well with curry dishes and other spicy recipes. Coconut flavoured rice with fresh slices of mango or your kids’ favourite fruit can make a fun, healthy dessert option.

Think flavour: Add spices to the rice’s cooking liquid for an aromatic and flavourful base to your dish. Star Anise, cilantro and turmeric are good choices, with bold, robust flavours.

Season early on: Don’t leave your seasoning until the end. Introduce the flavours of your dish early on. For maximum flavour, add the herbs or spices your recipe calls for into the rice’s cooking water.

Add veggies: Enhance your rice dish by adding frozen vegetables. Rather than cooking the vegetables separately, though, condense your cooking time by adding them to boiling water before you begin cooking the rice. Using pre-cut, frozen vegetables is more convenient than cutting fresh vegetables (while still being nutritious), especially when you are pressed for time.

Sweeten with fruit: Add dried fruit – such as craisins, raisins, dried blueberries and currents – to your cooking water to draw out the sweet fruit flavours which will infuse your rice with a savoury taste the whole family will enjoy.

Try rice for breakfast: Instant rice in particular is quick and easy, making it a convenient and nutritious family option. Add almond or soy milk, or your kids’ favourite flavoured milk, as well as dried fruits or nuts for a complete, oatmeal-like breakfast dish which can be served hot or cold. Prepare the rice the night before to save time in the morning.

Steep your rice: Infuse the rice with your favourite flavour of tea for a fragrant, subtle gourmet taste. Steep a pot of tea and use the liquid to cook your rice instead of using plain water. For those less adventurous, start with a more simple flavour such as Earl Grey, English Breakfast or Chamomile tea. For an economical option, use the tea bag left over from your morning cup of tea.

Add zing with zest: For a zesty citrus spin on your rice dish, grate lemon, lime or orange zest into the rice’s cooking water as it’s boiling. Be sure to thoroughly wash your fruit with warm, soapy water before grating the zest into the water. For a more gourmet taste sensation, try a combination of citrus fruits in one rice dish.

Cut cooking time: Risotto is a wonderful meal or side dish option enjoyed by all ages, but it takes time to make.  Using instant rice in a risotto dish can cut in half the time it takes to make traditional risotto. 

Recipe: Wheat-Free Pizza Crust 

Wheat-free Rice Crust Pizza

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 30 min

Total Time: 65 min (including cooling and standing time)

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

2 cups (500 ml) Minute Rice® Instant Whole Grain Brown Rice

3/4 tsp (4 ml)                 salt

2                                  eggs, beaten

2 1/2 cups (625 ml)        shredded Mozzarella cheese

1/2 tsp (2 ml)                 each dried basil and oregano leaves (optional)

2 tsp (10 ml)                  fine cornmeal (optional)

1 cup (250 ml)               pizza sauce

1/2 cup (125 ml)             each chopped pepperoni, sweet green pepper and mushrooms

Instructions:

1.      Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare rice according to package directions. Season with salt; let cool to room temperature.

2.      Stir in the eggs, 1 cup (250 mL) of the cheese, and herbs (if using).

3.      Spray a 12-inch (30 cm) pizza pan with cooking spray; sprinkle evenly with cornmeal (if using).

4.      Firmly and evenly press the rice mixture into the prepared pan.

5.      Cook the crust on the lowest rack in oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven; spread evenly with the pizza sauce.

6.      Sprinkle half of the remaining cheese over the sauce. Scatter the pepperoni, green pepper and mushrooms evenly over top. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

7.      Bake for 15 minutes or until bottom is golden and cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing into wedges.

 

Per serving: 674 calories, 27 g fat, 30 g protein, 78 g carbohydrates,1,253 mg sodium. Excellent source of riboflavin, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus and zinc.

Thank you to Chef John Higgins for this alternative to traditional pizza crust!

Interested in trying out Minute Rice while waiting for the contest results? Get your coupon for $1 off a box by clicking here. Coupons available in limited quantities.

Contest

Minute Rice wants to make one of my Canadian readers very happy by providing them with a year's worth (12 boxes) of Minute Rice. Imagine the possibilities! To enter to win, please read through the contest details below, and make your entries. No purchase required. Not open to residents of Quebec. 

 

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