The festive period is all about gathering together with friends and family and enjoying rich and delicious meals. However, once the new year comes round it’s time to take a fresh approach and that’s where rice bowls come in. Wholesome, hearty, versatile, and above all veggie-packed, rice bowls provide the perfect opportunity to press the reset button without skimping on flavor. So, join RiceSelect® as we explore a diverse range of rice bowl recipes sure to transform your cooking for the coming year.
Understanding the Basics of Rice Bowls
Rice bowls are an innovative way to combine different ingredients into one satisfying meal. Crafting the perfect rice bowl is all about selecting the right combination of ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating a balanced and flavorful dish.
Choosing the Right Base
The base is integral to the success of any rice bowl. Some of the most popular options include:
White rice
Brown rice
Jasmine ice
Basmati rice
Sushi rice
Quinoa
Farro
Cauliflower rice
Each option brings unique flavors and nutritional benefits as they cater to a wide variety of dietary preferences. Now let’s look at the other essential components.
Selecting Proteins and Vegetables
To complement your rice base it’s important to include a protein option along with a choice mix of veggies to go with it. Some popular options include:
Grilled chicken
Beef
Fish like salmon or tuna
Tofu
Beans
Bell peppers
Broccoli
Peas
Radishes
Cucumber
Carrot
Enhancing Flavors with Sauces
Finally, no rice bowl would be complete without a scintillating sauce to help meld ingredients together. With the right sauce and seasoning, you’d be amazed how you can transform a simple rice bowl into an unforgettable dining experience.
Teriyaki
Sriracha
Yogurt-based dressings
Vinaigrettes
Kimchi
Ponzu
Miso
Mayo
How to Customize a Rice Bowl with Detox Ingredients
One of the many advantages of rice bowls is that they are so adaptable. Adding detox ingredients to your rice bowls couldn’t be easier. Spices such as ginger, garlic, turmeric, and cinnamon will help you on your way to feeling cleansed and revitalized. Similarly, fruits like lemon, lime, grapefruit, blueberries, and kiwi are popular choices in detox recipes. Finally, don’t forget your greens! Kale and spinach work wonders in recipes and bring flavor to boot. If you’re curious to learn more about making detox meals, check out our guide to New Year Detox Salad Recipes.
Rice Bowls from Around the World
Love fusion recipes and exploring new culinary horizons? Well then, rice bowls provide the perfect platform for the epicurious to incorporate new flavors into their cooking. Let’s take a look now at some recipes from around the world, starting off with a homegrown gem courtesy of the rich culinary heritage of Tex-Mex cuisine.
Hearty Tex-Mex Breakfast
If you’re one of those people who subscribe to the adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then we have just the recipe for you. This Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Bowl combines classic Tex-Mex flavors—eggs, bacon, pico de gallo, jalapeño, and crispy tortilla chips—and sets them up with a fragrant RiceSelect® Texmati® Rice base. The result? A hearty and comforting breakfast that will help you put your best foot forward first thing in the morning.
Mouthwatering Mediterranean Mix
Now, for a quick sojourn in the Mediterranean. Packed with cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, bell peppers, red onion, cucumber, and topped with savory halloumi cheese, this Mediterranean Brown Rice Bowl with Cooked Halloumi is the perfect way to enjoy your favorite Mediterranean flavors in the convenience of a rice bowl. Best of all, you can rustle this sumptuous dish up in just 40 minutes.
Classic Asian Rice Bowl
And now to the spiritual home of the rice bowl for a tried and true classic. This Korean Beef Rice Bowl is made with succulent iron steak, Korean gochujang barbecue, sesame seeds, and aromatic RiceSelect® Jasmati® White Rice, culminating in a uniquely satisfying dish bursting with flavor.
Exploring Fish Poke Bowls
It goes without saying, if you love rice bowls, you’ll find poke bowls equally irresistible. Hailing from Hawaii, poke bowls are famous for their use of marinated fish along with fresh veggies and tasty seasonings. If that’s piqued your interest, then how about trying this Salmon Poke Bowl with Sushi Rice? Packed with salmon, cucumber, avocado, grated carrots, edamame beans, and chopped pineapple for an extra zesty twist, it’s a tropical dish you can make in just 35 minutes. Convenient meals don’t come tastier than this!
Then, for the tuna-lovers among you, try this Aloha Poke Rice Bowl. Made with sashimi-quality tuna, RiceSelect® Organic Jasmati® White Rice, scallions, cucumber, sliced radish, and sweet chili sauce, it’s a sweet and spicy dish that satisfies and refreshes in equal measure.
Hearty Black Rice Bowls
Last but not least, here are two rice bowl recipes that really pack a punch. Our Black Rice Buddha Bowl is loaded with wholesome and nutritious ingredients such as kale, chickpeas, blueberries, tangelos, avocado, tahini, and, best of all, RiceSelect® Black Rice. Fruity and refreshing, this detox powerhouse is the perfect antidote to the rich and indulgent dishes you’ve treated yourself to over the holiday season. Best of all, it’s just as flavorful!
Similarly, our Miso Black Rice Bowl is a potent blend of sweet potato, egg, cremini mushrooms, avocado, and kale with a uniquely tangy white miso dressing. It’s the perfect dish to kick-start the new year.
New Year New You
The new year provides the perfect excuse to set yourself new goals. One way to ensure you accomplish whatever it is you set out to do, is to pack your weekly meal plan with recipes that energize and revitalize. At RiceSelect®, we’re proud to provide a hub for home chefs to explore new trends in cooking and get inspired. For more expert tips and recipe ideas, be sure to drop by our blog.