There are many versatile grains that you can cook with, and one of the healthiest and most fun to cook with is rice. In fact, brown rice, in particular, has been found to contain plenty of fibre and protein that contribute to a lower glycaemic index (GI), especially when compared to white rice. It also contains lignans linked with a lower risk of heart disease and ferulic acid, an antioxidant that helps cancer and diabetes . Whether you prefer long grain, short grain, savoury, or sweet, there are various delicious and unique ways to enjoy rice.
Here are some creative rice dishes to try:
Rice Pudding
Cosy desserts will always be in season, and rice pudding will always be a classic, even with newer takes on the dish. Preparing this is possible with a slow cooker, giving you great satisfaction with very little effort.
Start by buttering the base and sides of your slow cooker to prevent any rice from sticking during the cooking process. Heat the milk over the stove until it summers, then add the pudding rice. After a good mix, pour it into the slow cooker and add a bit of nutmeg or cinnamon. Cook the pudding for two and a half hours on high, stirring once or twice to make sure it cooks evenly. Wait for it to cool before serving with honey, almonds, or the fruit of your choice.
Arancini Balls
These Italian rice balls are a perfect snack if you want to whip up a small treat that everybody will enjoy. Hailing from Sicily, the rice balls are stuffed, coated with bread crumbs, deep-fried, and served with a delicious dipping sauce for a tasty appetizer or snack. An easy method will require using a rice cooker so that you can prepare everything in one pot. It’s best to choose one that has multiple cook options for rice and other food so you can prepare dishes with more than one ingredient.
Heat oil in the rice cooker before adding onions until translucent. Add the rice and stir until toasted brown. Once they are cloudy in the centre and translucent around the edges, add white wine and cook until it has mostly evaporated. Add the broth, saffron, and salt. Cool the risotto completely before forming balls with a cube of mozzarella placed in the centre. Dip each risotto ball into flour, then an egg wash, then the bread crumbs. Once done, lower the balls into the oil and deep fry until golden brown. Serve with a basic tomato dipping sauce.
Nutty Spicy Rice Salad
Rice and salad can be exciting on their own, but they are even better when combined. This nutty and spicy rice salad is a great pairing for any beer and wine of your choice Start by heating oil in a frying pan. Add white onion and cook through until it is translucent before stirring in garam masala, turmeric, and chilli pepper. After frying for about a minute, transfer to a bowl, stir in some onion and spice mixture and then set aside. Core and slice an apple and sprinkle with lemon juice. Add this to the rice mixture with some dried fruit, chopped nuts, and herbs. Finish with walnut oil, vegetable oil, and vinegar and season well with salt and pepper before serving.
Chatting Food Contributor: Jerrika Bennet
Jerrika Bennet is a food and lifestyle blogger and content creator. She spends most of her time in the kitchen, experimenting with new dishes or enjoying a piping hot cup of tea. When she’s not working or in the kitchen, you can find her on long walks with her pup Cinnamon.