Minute Rice held an event at the George Brown College Chef School recently. I was able to attend via webcam (how cool is that?) as I could not make it down to the school that evening. Minute Rice sent me a couple of boxes of their 100% Natural Instant Rice to cook with at home. Rice is a staple in my pantry and I love it, so I have been happily exploring new recipes.
The event was hosted by Chef John Higgins. You may recognize that name! Not only is Chef Higgins a Judge on Chopped Canada, he has also cooked for the Queen at Buckingham Palace, heads of state in Washington and various celebrities. He's a pretty big deal!
According to Norma D’Onofrio, Senior Brand Manager, Minute Rice, instant rice is as nutritious as long cook rice. 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. Did you know that both varieties of Minute Rice are GMO-free?!
“Veggie Rice Lasagna Loaf" was the first recipe demonstrated by Chef Higgins. It's very easy to make and only takes 10 minutes to prepare for the oven. The prep for this dish can be done the day before, leaving you with just the rice to cook the day of. To assemble the dish, you can use either a terrine mold or a loaf pan. I love recipes where you can prep in advance and enjoy a quick meal when needed, minus the hassle of course.
This was followed by "Pear and Cranberry Rice Pudding with Chocolate Crunchies". Watching this recipe being prepared really captivated me. Who knew that you could be so creative with rice?! Chef Higgins mentioned that some people enjoy their Rice Pudding wet, while others prefer it dry. It's really up to you.
Chef Higgins said that food is meant to be enjoyed by family and friends. I couldn't agree more! So hurry and grab yourself a $1.00 off coupon for Minute Rice, while supplies last.
Attending the event via webcam allowed me to really focus on what Chef Higgins was doing, as well as take some helpful notes. Check out some helpful tips for cooking rice below.
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.
Visit here to discover amazing recipes on the Minute Rice website.
Enter below for an opportunity to win a case of 12 boxes of Minute Rice® 100% Natural Instant Rice ($60 value)
My favorite rice dish is chicken fried rice
ReplyDeleteI love Stirfry and rice,,yum!
ReplyDeleteunstuffed peppers is one of my favorite rice dishes
ReplyDeleteI like rice with chili chicken.
ReplyDeletespazsss@yahoo.ca
Love rice with mixed grilled veggies! Simple, but delicious!
ReplyDeleteI love stirfry with rice or stuffed peppers :) (Andrea Amy)
ReplyDeleteI love stir fry!!
ReplyDeleteRisotto
ReplyDeleteany kind of stirfry
ReplyDeleteRice Pudding is my fave
ReplyDeleteMy favourite rice dish is Broccoli and Cheese rice casserole!
ReplyDeleteI love a stir fry with veggies, chicken and rice.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Chicken fried rice.
ReplyDeleteI love chicken fried rice!
ReplyDeleteooh I really like fried rice as well
ReplyDeleteVeggie stir fry or bacon fried rice.
ReplyDeletebiryani
ReplyDeleteThanks for such amazing information. Well done!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite dish that I use Minute Rice in, is Cabbage Rolls!
ReplyDeleteI would have to say a great veggie stir fry with rice is my favourite!
ReplyDeleteMy fave is seafood paella.
ReplyDeleterice pudding - savoury and sweet. thanks
ReplyDeleteMy favourite rice dish, which I haven't figured out how to make quite right yet is greek rice from my favourite restaurant. I've tried to replicate it but I can't quite match it.
ReplyDeleteRisotto
ReplyDeleteMy favourite rice dish is Butter Chicken on rice - I love mixing the sauce in with the rice, it is so yummy!
ReplyDeleteI love rice straight up but my DH loves rice pudding.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting and making this giveaway open to Canadians. feel free to post it to my weekly giveaway linky (live every Tuesday, http://www.journeysofthezoo.com/category/giveaway-linky).
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Stir fries or cashew chicken with rice
ReplyDeleteIt would be coconut curry chicken with rice!
ReplyDeleteI love cabbage rolls
ReplyDeleteI like chicken fried rice
ReplyDeleteFried rice. Actually, I love anything with rice.
ReplyDeleteI love Chicken fried rice :)
ReplyDeleteI load the cabbage rolls and stuffed peppers with rice!
ReplyDeleteLori R Jackson
Stir fried rice is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteCabbage rolls and rice pudding are my favourites!
ReplyDeleteStuffed Peppers with Rice, or Stir Fry
ReplyDeleteMy favourite rice dish is chicken fried rice!
ReplyDeleteI like veggie fried rice
ReplyDeleteHave never tried gluten free Minute Rice!
ReplyDeleteI love stir fried rice.
ReplyDeleteFlorence C
I love stirr fried rice. The best!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite rice dish is cabbage rolls.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is broccoli, cheese and rice casserole.
ReplyDeleteWe love a good stir fry or rice pudding
ReplyDeleteBailey Dexter Our family loves cabbage roll, we make them all the time. Another is rice pudding the kids love to help in preparing them!
ReplyDeleteI like sushi and fried rice best.
ReplyDeleteCabbage Rolls!
ReplyDeleteI love stir fry
ReplyDeletemy kids and husband love beef and rice casserole
ReplyDeletei love rice and beans
ReplyDeletejan
I make a casserole of rice and chopped veggies, then cooked sausage on top.
ReplyDeleteI love stirfry
ReplyDeleteMy favourite rice dish is coconut rice pudding
ReplyDeleteI do love mu sushi!
ReplyDeleteRoasted chicken and rice
ReplyDeleteStir-Fry Rice
ReplyDeletechicken fried rice is my fave rice dish
ReplyDeleteCool! It looks so great. Thanks.
ReplyDelete