No matter where you’re from, there’s one universal truth: food always brings people together, particularly during the holidays. Planning the perfect dinner menu is an ideal opportunity to get creative in the kitchen, hone your home chef skills, and impress friends and family!

Elevate your dinner parties by opting for the right grains and pastas and choosing the right recipes. Take the guesswork out of party planning and impress your guests by using the premium ingredients that RiceSelect® has to offer.

Let’s dive right in with tips and recipes for your next get-together.

Irresistible Appetizers

Welcome your guests with a tasty spread of appetizers. Selecting the right snacks will set the mood right away. Choose 2-3 options of varying texture, flavor, and color!

Finger Foods

Creamy: Plate this Rice & Cheese Spread alongside your favorite assorted crackers and/or vegetables.

Crispy: Whether you use some leftover risotto or whip up a fresh batch of Arborio Rice for Crab Cake Arancini or Sausage & Sage Arancini, the satisfying crunch of arancini will please every guest.

Stuffed: For individually portioned bites, set out some Wild Rice & Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, though they just might steal the show.

Salads

Light yet flavorful, a salad is an ideal course during a dinner party. Plus, you can prepare it in advance and leave it covered in the fridge. Drizzle on dressing and toss it just before serving.

Soups

For winter events, soups will warm your guests right up!

Lemon Chicken and Orzo Soup Recipe

Loaded with savory Mediterranean flavors, this Lemon Chicken & Orzo Soup recipe from RiceSelect® is the perfect blend of creamy and comforting.

Lentil and Turmeric Pearl Couscous Soup Recipe

This soothing pearl couscous soup is as comforting as a classic bowl of chicken soup. Loaded with vegetables, spices like turmeric, and hearty lentils, this filling dish is savory and...

Creamy Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Rice Soup Recipe

With roasted garlic, smoked bacon, earthy mushrooms and aromatic whole grain Texmati® Brown Rice, this creamy and comforting soup recipe is loaded with savory flavor in every spoonful.

Choosing a Main Course

With a group of guests, it may not be a bad idea to play it safe when choosing a main course; after all, you can’t go wrong with a classic chicken and rice dish. This Moroccan Spiced Roast Chicken with Pearl Couscous & Chickpea Stew is elegant yet hearty.

Royal Stuffed Pork Loin Recipe

At the same time, sometimes a dinner party warrants a particularly indulgent menu featuring poultry and meats that are generally reserved for special occasions. For instance, this decadent Royal Stuffed Pork Loin is a delicious meat that’s easy to divvy out and serve to guests. Red-Wine Braised Duck with Royal Blend® Rice Want to whip up a pescatarian plate that never fails to please? Impress everyone around the table with this Tri-Color Pearl Couscous with Langoustines! Find more recipe inspiration below:

Rice Select Lamb Shank Cous Cous Rice Select Lamb Shank Cous Cous
Rice Select Lamb Shank Cous Cous Rice Select Lamb Shank Cous Cous
Lamb Shanks with Lemon Couscous Recipe

Lamb shanks are baked until tender, then served over lemon pearl couscous for a fresh and inviting meal.

Instant Pot Braised Short Rib Recipe

Korean boneless short ribs are quickly braised in an Instant Pot for a tasty rice bowl that you can make for an incredible weeknight dinner.

WINE POACHED HALIBUT WITH CELERY ROOT PUREE WINE POACHED HALIBUT WITH CELERY ROOT PUREE
WINE POACHED HALIBUT WITH CELERY ROOT PUREE WINE POACHED HALIBUT WITH CELERY ROOT PUREE
Wine-Poached Halibut with Celery Root Puree Recipe

Elevate any weeknight dinner with this luxurious recipe for wine-poached halibut with Texmati® White Rice and greens, all served a celery root puree.

For less formal events or mixers, making a Build-Your-Own Rice Bowl Board is both interesting and interactive! In fact, you could have guests sign up to bring an ingredient or two: this is a fun spin on a potluck. From comfort foods to unusual additionals, guests can chat about their go-to rice toppings in an Elevated Rice Bowl. Check out how @TheBakerMama plans a party platter using RiceSelect® and foolproof mix-ins in this Build-Your-Own Rice Bowl Board.

Deciding on a Decadent Dessert

Rice desserts go well beyond rice pudding, though you can definitely elevate a classic rice pudding by adding the satisfying crunch of a brûlee like in this Crème Brûlée Rice Pudding. Looking for another individually portioned dessert? Filled with coconut, applesauce, and cinnamon, these Raisin & Rice Mini Pies are as appetizing as they are adorable.

Discover more Decadent Dessert Ideas to serve at your dinner party below:

Fruit Desserts

Peachy Keen Rice Bake Recipe Peachy Keen Rice Bake Recipe
Peachy Keen Rice Bake Recipe Peachy Keen Rice Bake Recipe
Peachy Keen Rice Bake Recipe

Sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, this recipe for a Peachy Creamy Rice Bake using Texmati® White Rice will instantly sweeten your day right up.

Key Lime Rice Pudding Pie Recipe Key Lime Rice Pudding Pie Recipe
Key Lime Rice Pudding Pie Recipe Key Lime Rice Pudding Pie Recipe
Key Lime Rice Pudding Pie Recipe

This delicious Key Lime Rice Pudding Pie topped with homemade meringue is the perfect dessert made with RiceSelect® Sushi Rice for a luscious texture.

Peach Curd and Raspberry Rice Pudding Parfait

These simply elegant fruit and rice pudding parfaits are a fun way to serve friends and family, especially when they are layered beautifully with creamy vanilla rice pudding, fresh peach...

Creamy Desserts

Arborio Silk Torte Recipe Arborio Silk Torte Recipe
Arborio Silk Torte Recipe Arborio Silk Torte Recipe
Arborio Silk Torte Recipe

Decadent and delicious, this arborio silk torte will be the talk of any dinner party. Make it extra creamy with RiceSelect® Arborio Rice.

Chocolate Hazelnut Rice Pudding Recipe

For a show-stopping dessert, try this rich and creamy Chocolate Hazelnut Rice Pudding made with aromatic RiceSelect® Texmati® White Rice.

Japanese-Style Sweet Rice Balls

These sweet rice ball confections are known as botamochiand ohagiin Japan. They are served when celebrating the spring and autumn equinox. Botamochi represent the spring botan flower and ohagi are...

Nutty Desserts

Carrot Quinoa Cupcakes Recipe

These Carrot Quinoa Cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting are extra light and fluffy made with RiceSelect®Tri-Color Quinoa.

Amaretto Rice Cheesecake Recipe

Indulgently delicious and creamy, this Amaretto Rice Cheesecake is the perfect dessert made with RiceSelect® Texmati® White Rice.

Toasted Pecan Rice Cream Recipe Toasted Pecan Rice Cream Recipe
Toasted Pecan Rice Cream Recipe Toasted Pecan Rice Cream Recipe
Toasted Pecan Rice Cream Recipe

Reminscent of weekends at grandma's, this Toasted Pecan Rice Cream recipe is made with RiceSelect® Sushi Rice for an extra creamy and flavorful touch.

From a hot summer afternoon BBQ to a festive holiday meal, there’s always a good reason to plan a get-together; as if you need an excuse to enjoy delicious food surrounded by family and friends! With RiceSelect, you can rest assured that you’re serving up the very best. Follow us @RiceSelect for the latest and greatest tips, tricks, and recipes.