It’s September and that means National Rice Month! But what exactly does that mean? Simply put, it’s the month in which we celebrate this special grain which has played such a huge role in various cuisines across the globe for centuries on end.
So how can you join the celebration? Let RiceSelect® show you the way! To mark this occasion, we’re going to share with you some classic rice dishes as well as creative and innovative rice recipes that will elevate your grain game and add a new dimension to your culinary repertoire! Are you ready?
Firstly, here are some interesting facts about rice:
There are close to 120,000 varieties of rice.
Rice is a cereal grain that feeds about half of the world's population.
There are three types of rice grain: short, medium and long.
Just one seed of rice will result in over 3,000 grains.
How fascinating is that? Now that you have some extra knowledge to impress your guests with, let’s get to the important part – rice recipes! We’ll also be sharing some tips and tricks to help you get the best out of your rice prep.
Risottos
Risotto is one of the most popular ways of preparing rice in Italy and for a good reason: it has a soft and creamy texture that’s comforting and extremely satisfying, and there are plenty of different ways to make this classic Italian dish.
You can start with a Creamy Risotto Recipe made with RiceSelect® Arborio Rice. With chicken broth, heavy cream, a splash of white wine and Parmesan cheese, you can bring the flavors and traditions of Italy straight to your kitchen.
Don’t forget: All of our rice products are gluten free!
Bring some vibrancy to the table with this beautiful Mushroom Risotto Recipe that’s just as delicious as it looks. This aromatic dish is made with both fresh and dried mushrooms as well as Gruyère cheese.
Or how about a Classic Italian Risotto Recipe, if you’re one of those people who love traditional meals and rich Italian flavors. With Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, butter and broth, the result is simply mouthwatering.
Quick Risotto Tip: Stir, stir and stir! Risotto requires a lot of stirring to help meld flavors together, to avoid burning and resulting in that soft and creamy texture. It’s okay to take 30 second breaks between stirring, but remember to keep it going until your risotto is done.
Paella
Hailing from the Valencia region of Spain’s mediterranean coast, paella is another classic dish that has withstood the test of time and journeyed from its humble home to gain popularity overseas.
Fun paella fact: Although Paella is Spain’s most famous national dish, it is far more commonly consumed in Valencia where it comes from. That said, it can still be found throughout Spain, especially during ‘fiestas’ when it is often cooked outdoors in a huge pan to serve crowds.
What kind of home chef wouldn’t want to add paella to their skillset? The good news is that you can do exactly that in a simple but effective style by learning how to make this Easy Paella Recipe, packed with tasty shrimp and colorful vegetables.
Sushi
Making its way from Japan, sushi has gone on to wow the world. Nowadays, even in some of the unlikeliest of towns and cities, we’re able to come across a sushi restaurant. That said, there are still plenty of home chefs out there who have yet to learn how to make it themselves. Here's why you should:
Sushi is popular: preparing recipes at home that are much-loved in restaurants is a sure way to please the crowd.
It’s elegant: The way it looks on the plate brings a touch of charm to mealtime. In small pieces and with a diverse set of colors, sushi is as pleasing to the eye as it is on the palate.
It’s artistic: If you love getting creative in the kitchen, sushi is fantastic. It gives you countless opportunities to create dishes that are rich in flavor combos.
Stir-Fries
Stir-fries give us flavorful and often hearty options for mealtime that are also flavor-rich and incredibly satisfying to eat. So, what’s the key to cooking up the perfect stir-fry?
Typically, there are four ingredients involved in the stir-fry process: vegetables, protein, sauce and aromatics. Get these right and the rest comes easy! Now let’s explore some recipe options:
Southern cooking means delicious and comforting dishes. Add stir-fry to the equation and you’ve got this Texas Stir-Fry Recipe where rice meets pork, chili powder, corn and black beans.
If the thought of teriyaki marinated chicken gets you licking your lips already, wait till you add some veggies, ginger and brown rice for this Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe. This is a tasty and creative way to bring more vegetables to the table.
With bacon, mushrooms and chicken, this Stir-Fry Brown Rice Recipe is another flavorful way to please guests, especially the bacon lovers. With soy sauce added, the dish gets that deliciously salty kick and more overall moisture.
How to Cook with Black Rice
If you haven’t learned how to cook black rice yet, National Rice Month is the perfect time to do so. This visually distinct and nutritious rice variety gives home chefs the chance to do something original.
You can put your black rice game to use in this Indonesian-style recipe for Black Rice Nasi Goreng with Bacon, Green Beans and Roasted Garlic, or, alternatively, opt for a vibrant Forbidden Rice and Greens Pilaf.
How to Cook with RiceSelect®Royal Blend®
Another way to bring some originality to your rice game is by knowing how to cook with Royal Blend Rice. Then, put those skills into practice by serving up a Garlic Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe for a dish that's rich in delicious veggies.
Or if you’re looking to make a special meal for two, a Red-Wine Braised Duck with Royal Blend® Rice will bring some elegance and charm to the occasion.
Whatever work best for you in your kitchen, with RiceSelect® recipes you can celebrate this year’s National Rice Month in style. For more creative tips and tricks to elevate your home chef game, stay tuned to our blog.
Whatever work best for you in your kitchen, with RiceSelect® recipes you can celebrate this year’s National Rice Month in style. For more creative tips and tricks to elevate your home chef game, stay tuned to our blog.