Easy Brown Rice Recipes: When we talk about rice, most often the white varieties are referred to, which come in many shapes, aromas and flavours. But thanks to the growing importance of eating healthy and leading an active lifestyle that the refined food products are now taking a backseat. We are increasingly becoming careful as to what items are being packed into our grocery bags, ensuring that they contain vital nutrients required by our body rather than empty calories.
Brown rice is touted as the healthier alternative to white rice because during its processing only the outermost layer, which is known as the hull, is removed. In the case of white rice, apart from the hull, other layers such as the bran and certain parts of the germ are polished off to provide finer grains. The refined rice may score higher in terms of flavour, but is void of essential nutrients. According to the experts, it is the outer layers of rice which provide vital nutrients to the body, and are loaded with vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, phosphorous, copper, etc. Moreover, since brown rice is high in fiber content, eating small quantities of it make you feel fuller, thus aiding in weight loss.
How to Cook Brown Rice
There are different varieties of brown rice available in the market. If you would like to make pulaos or biryanis at home then make sure you pick Basmati brown rice. This long-grained rice is slightly firmer but it soaks in the spices and seasonings well to make the dishes delightful. The short-grained brown rice works well in risottos and salads.
To cook brown rice, here are a few methods:
1. Bring a pan of water to a boil, cook the rice till done, and then discard the excess water. This is known as the draining method.
2. Pressure cook the rice using 2:1 ratio of water and rice
3. Add two cups of water to a saucepan, bring it to a boil, turn the flame to low and then slow cook 1 cup rice till done.
From my personal experience, I prefer the drain method because it yields separate grains every time, which work excellently for pulaos and biryanis. When it comes relishing rich curries, I usually use the pressure cooker method which mostly yields stickier rice that go well with gravy.
You can use brown rice to toss up salads, stir-fry with veggies and meat for a quick meal, or make elaborate preparations like biryani and risottos for special evenings. It is versatile so you can mix it with spices and herbs to turn up the flavour or keep it simple.
Recipes to Try at Home
Here's presenting 9 brown rice recipes to help you get started:
1. Brown Rice Onion Pilaf
A delicious brown rice pilaf made with caramelized onions and a hint of cinnamon. This popular brown rice recipe is sure to tantalise your taste buds. Prepare it for dinner or lunch and impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.
2. Mushroom Brown Rice
A healthy rice option, brown rice has more fiber than white rice. The mushrooms add a delightful flavour to the dish. Mushrooms also increase the nutritional value of the entire dish.
3. Risotto-e-Tonno
Brown rice, capers, chopped olives, mixed vegetables and fresh lemon juice all come together to create this easy, healthy meal perfect to pack for lunch or a picnic! Top with moist tuna fillets, and enjoy!
4. Meen Alleppey Curry with Brown Rice
This traditional Kerala fish curry is made with raw mangoes and coconut cream. For a healthy spin, enjoy it with steamed brown rice. Prepare it for lunch or dinner and make the most of its flavours.
5. Chicken Schezwan Rice
Don't we just love Indian Chinese? Now instead of using regular rice to cook this recipe, use brown basmati rice for a healthy fix. Loaded with chicken, prawns and an assortment of veggies, it is guaranteed to be a satisfying meal. For the recipe, click here.
6. Mutton Khichda
Mutton khichda is a dish made with rice, lentils, mutton and masalas. Here you can replace white rice with brown basmati rice. It is usually prepared with special occasions like Eid.
7. Brown Rice Salad
Tired to cook up a meal? You could probably go in for a Rice Salad which is hassle free and makes for a satisfying meal. Brown rice tossed with bell peppers, spring onions, tomatoes and drizzled with lemon, garlic and olive oil dressing.
8. Green Coriander Rice
This brown rice recipe is loaded with nutrients like fibre, minerals and vitamins like B6 and niacin. It also has antioxidants that can prove to be quite beneficial for your overall health.
9. Fish Kebab With Sauce And Brown Rice
This recipe features a grilled fish drizzled in garlicy and tangy sauce. Apart from being delicious, it is one of the most healthiest recipe that is served with brown rice.
So the next time you plan to make some rice dishes, replace white rice with brown rice and make use of the above mentioned recipes.