Running out of ideas of how to make a healthy side dish? Whether you are cooking a five-star meal or a quick dinner, consider adding some rice or quinoa to your plate. Here at the Bear Pantry, there are multiple types of grains available:
- Jasmine rice is available in a microwaveable package for shelf stability and convenient storing.
- Brown rice and quinoa come together in a quick and convenient microwave option for someone looking for an easy way to add some whole grains to their plate.
- Enriched white rice is available in six-pound bags.
While there are over 40,000 different types of rice found around the world, White rice is still the most common and well-known type. Many people prefer white rice to brown rice due to the chewier texture and bitterness of brown rice. Although white rice is not always seen as the healthiest form of rice due to the processing it goes through to remove the tough outer layer of the grain, it is still a great choice to put onto your plate. While white rice has lost some of the micronutrients that are found in brown rice, all rice is a great source of carbohydrates needed to fuel our bodies.
One great thing about rice, and even quinoa, is that they often have a mild taste and take on any flavors that are added to them. Adding healthy fats (such as margarine), canned vegetables, and even your favorite spices/seasonings can be a great way to add some variety to your meals.
Here is a simple recipe that utilizes the brown rice and quinoa packages found in the pantry to make a healthy side dish with a balance of starches, vegetables, healthy fat, and protein.
Quinoa and brown rice salad
Ingredients:
- One package “seeds of change” quinoa and brown rice with garlic
- One 15 oz. can of corn
- One 15 oz. can of black beans
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- ½ cup red onion
Here are a few good vinaigrette brands that can be found at the Bear Pantry or at a local store.
- Wish-bone avocado oil blend garden herb vinaigrette
- Kraft balsamic vinaigrette
- Great Value light balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions:
- Dice the grape tomatoes and onion to the size of your choosing.
- Open, drain, and rinse the canned vegetables with water.
- Microwave the packaged rice.
- Place all ingredients into a large bowl. If choosing to use a vinaigrette, drizzle a small amount on top of the ingredients. Toss and let sit until cool.
When it comes to cooking rice, practice makes perfect. It can sometimes be tricky to cook rice because as the rice cooks, it absorbs the water it cooks in. Not adding enough water will lead to dry rice, while adding too much water can lead to mushy rice. A good rule of thumb when cooking rice is to add 1 cup of water for every ½ cup of brown rice, jasmine rice, or white rice that you cook. Because the hard outer shells have been removed while creating white rice, they will cook quickly; typically within 20 minutes.
Rice is a great source of energy and it is always in stock at the Bear Pantry. Feel free to come and visit us during our normal hours to stock up for the week.