White rice has been around for over a thousand years.
It has fed more people than any other crop, and it is a staple ingredient in almost every culture; from Asia to Latin America, rice recipes can be found in large quantities.
The major growing regions of rice are in Asia, Latin America and Africa, but the countries where rice is exported are Thailand, Vietnam, India, Pakistan and the United States.
Of all the crops that are planted, about 80 percent is for human consumption; people in Asia are used to eating rice at least two times a day; in Myanmar, for example, 195 kg of this grain is consumed per capita every year.
What’s best about this grain is that it is not only eaten.
Rice can be processed and turned into oil, rice cakes, flour and oil. It is also used for facial routines, making soap, and even used as an ingredient in some pesticides.
It is interesting to note that many people are afraid of consuming rice; carbs have had a bad reputation among dietitians, but we want to disclose some extra information about this grain which, eaten in moderation, can have great benefits for your health (besides being super versatile to include in almost any dish, savory or sweet).
Nutrition
Rice is high in carbohydrates, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. When eaten in the right amounts, this grain will have a great and positive impact on our health.
One serving of rice may have over 53 grams of carbs, which come from the starch.
Starch contains chains of glucose molecules that are called amylose and amylopectin, and different rice varieties have different levels of amylose; that is why the way rice looks is different depending on its variety and also the way in which it is cooked.
Basmati rice, for example, is rich in these molecules, and that’s why it does not stick after it’s cooked. On the other hand, sticky rice contains fewer amounts of amylose.
The fiber contained in rice helps us feel fuller for longer periods of time and helps in regulating our blood sugar levels. Bear in mind that white rice, which is processed, has fewer nutrients than brown rice, for instance.
As we have mentioned above, rice also has many vitamins and minerals. This grain is an excellent source of manganese, iron and vitamin B.
Rice is not only easy to make and affordable in most countries, but it is also effortless to digest. Pairing it with plenty of colorful vegetables is an excellent idea to incorporate even more nutrients to our daily diet.
If you are bored of eating the same white rice over and over again, we have the right recipe for you.
Easy and delicious ways to upgrade white rice
1. Make sure you buy the best rice you can. We recommend you use https://carolinarice.com/products/white-rice/
2. Use the right proportions:: one part of rice to two parts of water or liquid. When you follow this ratio, rice will never be sticky when you don’t want it to be, nor will it be undercooked.
3. Rinse your rice and cover it with water. Place it over high heat and bring it to a boil. After it is boiling, lower the heat and let the rice simmer for about fifteen to eighteen minutes. When there is no more liquid left, turn off the heat and cover the rice for about five minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork or a spatula.
Now it’s time to think about ways of upgrading your white rice:
- Use alternative liquids to cook the rice: vegetable broth, coconut milk, chicken broth… Enhancing the liquids will change the way rice tastes completely for the best.
- Add color to your dish by adding different vegetables. Try adding sauteéd vegetables and also raw ones, like red cabbage for a fresher salad, cucumber and tomatoes, shredded carrots… the combinations are endless!
- Herbs and seasonings may sound as an obvious way to upgrade rice, but most people use the same spices each time. Be imaginative and try new things: taco seasoning, dried herbs or fresh chopped herbs right before serving are great options.
Use avocados! Not only does this vegetable add color, but it also adds great flavor and a delicious buttery texture.
Try adding guacamole (that is, avocado with chopped red onion and diced tomatoes) to enhance your white rice to the maximum!