How to Decorate a Rice Bed

Before you spice up a rice bed, you have to decide what type of rice to use. If you are not planning to use instant rice, you may opt for long-grain, medium-grain or short-grain white rice. Jasmine rice, basmati rice and wild rice add additional flavor. When preparing long-cooking rice, remember this ratio: twice as much water as rice. If you prepare a cup of rice (about 2 ½ servings), you'll need 2 cups of water.

Things You'll Need

• 1 ½ cups rice
• 3 cups water
• 1 tbsp. butter or margarine
• ½ tsp. salt
• Bring water, butter, salt and rice to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to lowest setting, then cover and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until water is absorbed by rice and rice is fluffy. Additional ingredients of your choosing as suggested in steps 1 to 5. This recipe makes four side-dish servings.

Instructions

1. Autumn Rice: After rice is cooked and fluffy, add ¼ cup of unsalted sunflower seeds, ¼ cup of raisins and ¼ cup of diced apples.

2. Basic Rice Pilaf: Add ¼ cup of chopped parsley, and for additional flavor, substitute chicken broth for water in the basic rice recipe.

3. Sweet Rice: Add ½ cup of shredded, unsweetened coconut to your rice. This complements Indian, Thai and Caribbean entrees.

4. For something more exotic, add one of the following: ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs, such as purple sage, thyme, basil or dill weed.

5. Southwestern Rice: Add ¼ cup chopped red and green peppers and ½ cup cooked corn.

Tips & Warnings

• Use rice to complement your entree by substituting broth or stock for water in the basic recipe. For example, if you're having a beef entree, use beef broth instead of water, chicken broth for poultry entrees and seafood stock for seafood entrees.

• Pine nuts are also a tasty addition. Add ½ cup pine nuts, along with any of the above herbs, for a beautiful and tasty pilaf.

References

• Carolina Rice
• Southern Living

Resources

• Rice Recipes