To some people, rice might seem like a boring topic but there are so many varieties of rice and as many ways to prepare it, it would take an entire book to discuss them all. Rice is one of the most important grains in the world because it is a staple for most cultures. The only other crop with more worldwide production is corn.
But, it’s rice that is mostly grown for human consumption, so it’s the largest and most important crop for human eating in the world and is thought to help entire countries avoid and beat food shortages.
A great source of protein and when mixed with legumes, you have a complete protein, fat-free, sodium-free, and an easy to digest meal. Rice contains about 110 calories per 1/2 cup serving. As a bonus, this grain is gluten-free.
- White Rice – is essentially brown rice with the bran, husk and germ removed. It’s less nutritious than brown rice and in most cases unless enriched nutritionally void.
- Brown Rice – the rice plant seeds are milled to remove the outer husks of the grain called the chaff. It is nutritiously superior to white rice.
- Parboiled Rice – is brown rice that goes through a steaming process that is later dried. The process does not remove the nutrition from the rice and it keeps it from sticking to the pan during cooking.
Rice can also be puffed, made into flour, milk, and even sprouted, depending upon the kind of rice you purchase — your options are many.
Here’s Today’s TRICK:
Add some dry rice to soups during the last 20 minutes of cooking (check your rice to see how long it normally cooks because it depends on what kind of rice you buy). When cold weather hits, it will add additional nutrition and make it more filling.
Here’s a TIP:
Got leftover rice? Heat it up, throw some milk (dairy, coconut, rice, almond, etc.) over the top, stir in some fruit and you’ve got breakfast!
And your RECIPE:
Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon canned Jalapeños optional
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 carrot cut into pea-sized pieces
- 1 cup cooked shrimp you can use other protein like chicken if you want, just cut it to shrimp-size
- 1 can pineapple rings
- 2 cups brown rice cooked
- 1-2 teaspoons soy sauce
- Curry powder to taste
- Sugar to taste
Instructions
- Preheat a wok or large skillet on medium heat. Combine olive oil, ginger, garlic, and Jalapeños in the wok. Saute for about 30 seconds then add the chopped onion. Add the red pepper and carrot after one minute. Allow to saute together for 1-2 minutes. Add the shrimp. Cut the pineapple rings into wedges and add them in last. Once the ingredients have stir-fried in the wok for several minutes, add the cooked rice, and toss. Immediately follow the rice with the soy sauce. Cook for 2 minutes. Add in as much curry powder and sugar or honey as you want to season the dish. One teaspoon of each is usually sufficient. Serve.