11 Unique Ways to Cook with Rice [2022] (Recipes)

Who doesn’t love a good rice dish?

Make everything from creamy chicken and rice to fried rice to fancy, homemade risotto with this simple ingredient that’s almost always in your pantry.

It’s a great starting point for almost any meal and can even be the star of the show!

WHAT IS RICE?

The edible starchy cereal grain and the grass plant (family Poaceae) that produces it. Rice can be cooked by boiling it or ground into flour.

It is eaten alone as well as in a wide range of soups, side dishes, and main courses in Asian, Middle Eastern, and other cuisines.

IS IT HEALTHY TO EAT RICE EVERYDAY?

Look no further than a nutritious bowl of rice! Rice is a great aid in weight loss because it is low in sodium, fat, and cholesterol.

It is high in nutrients and has no negative effects on a person’s health. Of course, its high fiber content aids in the prevention of obesity.

FRIED RICE

Fried rice has been a kitchen staple in China since the Sui Dynasty (589–618 CE).

The main reason for this dish’s continued popularity and ubiquity is due to two factors: its adaptability and the fact that people almost always cook too much rice. Fried rice is an easy and delicious way to turn leftovers into something new!

MANGO STICKY RICE

It ranks among my top ten favorite desserts. This is a traditional Thai dessert that uses a different method than you might expect for cooking rice.

Traditionally, you want fluffy, almost dry rice, but here you want a sticky, thick rice mixture that’s barely cooked through.

Cooking rice in coconut milk yields the most flavorful rice with minimal effort. This is a great dessert to make ahead of time because it tastes great cold or at room temperature.

MUSHROOM RISOTTO

When people ask me what I like to cook the most (which they do all the time), I always say risotto. The stirring is very therapeutic for me.

And each time I make it, I think it’s better than the previous one. It’s all about knowing what your rice needs and when it needs it, which gets easier with practice. I guarantee it!

CHICKEN FRIED RICE

Chicken fried rice is a Chinese comfort food. It has a long history and is popular in East, Southeast, and South Asian cuisines.

The dish began as a way to use up leftover fried rice that had dried out and was no longer tasty on its own, but was still perfectly edible. The addition of oil and soy sauce, as well as vegetables and meat, make for a delicious meal.

RISOTTO RICE

Risotto is as creamy and decadent as it gets. This simple rice dish is as comforting as they come, and while it may appear intimidating, it is actually quite simple.

All you need is an hour, arborio rice, good chicken broth, a little butter, cheese, and wine, as well as your favorite aromatics like onion, garlic, and basil.

TOMATO-GARLIC SPANISH RICE

This traditional Mexican-style Spanish Rice (also known as arroz rojo) contains all of the essential ingredients: tomato (in the form of tomato sauce), onion, garlic, and, of course, rice.

We used garlic powder for convenience, but fresh garlic can be used if you prefer a more pronounced garlic flavor.

CHEESY CHICKEN BROCCOLI BAKE

This cheesy rice bake stuffed with chicken, broccoli, and cheddar is to die for.

The genius of this dish isn’t just the flavor combination—it’s the fact that you can make it all in one pan. People, just use one pan! We’re talking about weeknight dinner gold here.

PORK FRIED RICE

Fried rice was invented in China during the Sui Dynasty and has since become a popular stir-fried dish in many different cultures. Fried rice is, in its most basic form, exactly what its name implies.

There are thousands of recipes and countless restaurant variations available today. When we want to use ground pork, this is our go-to recipe. But, with the exception of the rice and eggs, everything can be substituted.

CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN AND RICE BOWL

Start the summer off right by meal prepping these fresh and filling grilled chicken bowls. The recipe yields four servings, which is enough for two lunches and two dinners for you and a roommate or partner.

SHRIMP FRIED RICE

Chinese fried rice, traditionally cooked in a wok over high heat, is possibly the most brilliant recipe for reusing leftover rice.

Don’t worry if you don’t have any leftover rice! You can use freshly made rice—just make sure to rinse it first to reduce the possibility of clumping.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO

Many recipes for butternut squash risotto call for roasting the squash first. This isn’t one of them.

Because everything is cooked in the same pot here, the butternut squash also serves as the sauce. The end result is insane.

GET COOKING!

No more boring white rice…these simple rice recipes are redefining the category! You can turn plain rice into a flavor-packed side dish with just a few simple ingredients.

Isn’t it crazy?! Now go out and buy a bag of rice and start cooking! Make your own rice dish using these recipes.

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