Healthy Rice Recipes

On its own, properly prepared rice can make a tasty filler or a snack but in combination with other items can make a truly delicious meal. Healthy rice recipes should be on the menu in every restaurant and home. Most people refer to rice simply as 'rice' and if pushed might say 'Basmati' or 'Long Grain' rice but there are more than 40,000 different varieties! Not all of these are in cultivation but in Asia where rice is the staple diet some hundreds of them are. Not only do these have different tastes and textures but vary in vitamin and mineral concentrations. In fact some rice varieties are looked upon as cures for certain ailments. On top of this each of these varieties of rice can be cooked and prepared in a number of different ways giving great scope for producing healthy rice recipes which will appeal to everyone.

Everyone seems to have their own 'special' way of cooking rice. Then they get their own 'special' results which tend to vary from disappointing to truly awful. Badly cooked rice is the main reason that people avoid it. Cooking rice is simple. This healthy rice cooking tip is best for Basmati Rice. All rice is different. Some need a touch more water or a little longer to boil but for Basmati this will give perfect results.

As a gauge use one small cup of rice per person. For every cup of rice you will require one and a half cups of water.

• Rinse the rice under a cold water tap for a couple of minutes or until the water runs clear. This helps to remove surplus starch.
• Place your pan of measured water on the stove, put in a teaspoon of oil and a few pinches of salt.
• Bring the water to the boil and then add your measured amount of washed rice.
• Bring the water to the boil once again and stir a couple of times to prevent sticking.
• Turn the water down till it is simmering and then place the lid on the pan.
• Do not be tempted to peek. Leave the rice to cook for exactly 8 minutes.
• Turn off the stove. Remove lid from the pan but leave pan where it is to rest for three minutes. All water will have boiled away or been taken up by the rice.
• Stir thoroughly.
• Leave one more minute.
• Result? Perfectly cooked rice.

Special Fried Rice is an all time favourite and one of the top buys from Chinese Takeaways. You though can make it at home and it will be better than buying it elsewhere.

If you have already have your cooked rice it is a case of choosing the ingredients that you wish to add. Don't overdo it in terms of what you include. The secret of good Special Fried Rice is to have a combination of flavours rather than one all embracing dominant taste. Quantities will depend on how many you are cooking for.

• Place a few handfuls of frozen mixed veg into a pan of lightly salted water and start boiling.
• Slice and dice a small onion and fry in wok with a little oil the onion turns a golden brown. Once cooked remove and place to one side.
• Fry up some sliced mushrooms. When cooked, remove and place to one side.
• Scramble an egg into the wok. Cook and remove to one side.
• Place your cooked rice into the wok on a high heat and start to fry, stirring all the time.
• Add the drained mixed vegetables. Fry for one minute stirring all the time.
• Add the other ingredients and fry for one more minute.

That's it. It's done. Perfect special fried rice with a mix of flavours and textures. Delicious.

You may want to add some Soy Sauce but why hide the flavour of the special healthy meal you just cooked?

Rice is the ideal 'extra' to bulk out a meal. Wherever you use potatoes why not try using rice instead. Using the method of cooking as shown above it is going to cook a lot quicker than potaoes anyhow.

Try rice with egg and bacon instead of chips.

Rice with a mixed salad makes a tasty and healthy change.

What about rice and burger or rice and fried chicken. In Asia this is what you would be given instead of fries in fast food franchises (unless you asked for something different).

Just like 'Horse and Carriage' or 'Tweedledum and Tweedledee' it is Curry and Rice that go together. They make the ideal combination. There are endless different curries you could make. Rice need not be the same each time. Try adding a stock cube or herbs and spices to the rice when you cook it.

Although the Special Fried Rice recipe told you how to keep the flavours separate there are some who like the flavours to combine.

Using a wok with a little oil place the rice and ingredients in together. Mix in some spinach, chopped sausage and bacon. Put in a few splashes of soy sauce. It will cook quickly. Remove and place into a cup. The cup will act as a mould. Place this in the centre of a plate and top with a fried egg. Not only will it look good but taste good too.

Rice is tasty, delicious and adaptable. It is a combination food and goes with anything. It makes as good a sweet dish as it does a savoury one. Rice is healthy too.