“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.
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.
I would like to try the rice crust pizza, thats sounds good
ReplyDeleteveggie biryani
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try the Chicken Carbonara Risotto.
ReplyDeleteI would make the Burrito el Grande
ReplyDeleteI would make the Pina Colada Shrimp and Rice first if I won.
ReplyDeleteI like to try the Wheat-free Rice Crust Pizza.
ReplyDeleteFlorence C
I'd love to try the Chicken Carbonara Risotto.
ReplyDeleteRice pudding for my husband. It's one of his favourites.
ReplyDeleteBesos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
I've never had rice pudding before and would love to turn rice into a dessert. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI would try a recipe for stuffed peppers.
ReplyDeleteBiryani! YUM!
ReplyDeleteohh i`d make the Wheat-Free Pizza Crust
ReplyDeleteI would try making Chicken Carbonara Risotto with Minute Rice :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to make the Chicken Carbonara Risotto. Sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try the Veggie Rice Lasagna Loaf :) (Andrea Amy)
ReplyDeleteI would like the Burrito el Grande...right up my alley :)
ReplyDeleteLori R Jackson
I would try to make the Easy Chicken and Rice Tacos
ReplyDeleteI would love to try and make a seafood stir fry!
ReplyDeleteWow..never heard of a rice pizza crust before..think I would give that a go.
ReplyDeletethe burrito!
ReplyDeleteProbaly burritto!!
ReplyDeletespazsss@yahoo.ca
I would like to try making the pizza with the rice crust.
ReplyDeleteI would like to try the pizza recipe .
ReplyDeleteid love to try the Chicken Carbonara Risotto
ReplyDeleteI would make the Wheat-free Rice Crust Pizza.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try making rice pudding. I like it but I've never made it.
ReplyDeleteThe pizza crust sounds interesting! I'd probably give that a whirl since I have never heard of rice on a pizza crust!
ReplyDeleteI would make Chicken Fried Rice since it is one of our favourites! (Judy Cowan)
ReplyDeleteRice pudding!
ReplyDeletelove to try Chicken Carbonara Risotto
ReplyDeleteI would try the Wheat-Free Pizza Crust, we love pizza and this sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteI would like to try 30 minute almond chicken.
ReplyDeleteThe rice crust pizza because I love pizza!
ReplyDeleteI would like to try the 30 minute almond chicken
ReplyDeleteI would make the pizza one!
ReplyDeleteThis Wheat-Free Pizza Crust seems really easy to make and so I'm gong to give it a go!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the rice crust pizza. That is a totally new idea I've never heard of before. My son loves pizza & would like to find a way to make it a healthier option.
ReplyDeleteI would like to try a lasagna with rice
ReplyDeleteI would try the Wheat-free Rice Crust Pizza.
ReplyDelete