Rice as a Main Course

Three Quick, Hearty, and Economical Rice Meals

Apr 6, 2009 Karen Plumley

Rice is a food staple around the world and is a great main course ingredient for a meal. Serving rice in creative ways can also save money and time in the kitchen.

Using rice as a main course in a meal can be quick, easy, and cost effective. It is also filling and satisfying. Rice can be dressed up with many different spices, vegetables, and meats to create dinners with an ethnic flair, using flavors found in Asian, Mexican, and Italian cooking. Try these three hearty possibilities for rice as a main course.

Vegetable Fried Rice

With soy sauce, stir fried vegetables, and sesame oil, rice can be turned into an Asian feast. Most of the ingredients used in this recipe are commonly found in kitchen refrigerators and pantries.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked long grain rice
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 3-4 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, diced
  • 1 unpeeled zucchini, diced
  • 1/2 cup pea pods or snow peas, chopped
  • 4 medium-sized mushrooms, chopped
  • 2 handfuls shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix

Method

  1. Stir fry onions, pea pods, and carrots over medium high heat in 1 tablespoon canola oil and sesame oil in a nonstick pan for 3 minutes until slightly tender but not browned.
  2. Add mushrooms and stir fry 2 minutes longer.
  3. Remove vegetables from pan and reduce heat to medium low. Add egg and cook slightly. Break apart.
  4. Add back cooked vegetables, zucchini, cabbage, remaining oil, and cooked rice.
  5. Add soy sauce until rice is seasoned and darker.
  6. Cook on medium-low until encorporated and zucchini is slightly tender but has not lost its green color.

Spanish Rice

A favorite recipe with traditional Spanish flavors, Spanish Rice healthy and satisfying and can be made as mild or spicy as taste dictates.

Ingredients

  • Small can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 lb lean ground beef or turkey
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 tablespoons worchestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil

Method

  1. Saute meat and onion in olive oil over medium heat in skillet.
  2. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil.
  3. Cover and simmer for approximately 20 minutes.

Parmesan Mushroom Italian Rice

This rice can be used as a side dish to seasoned chicken, but is hearty enough to stand on its own.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 1-3/4 cups water
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 5 or 6 medium mushrooms, chopped
  • 2 chicken boullion cubes
  • 1/2 cup green vegetable, like frozen peas or chopped asparagus
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese to taste

Method

  1. Heat water, onion, garlic, boullion, mushrooms, and wine in saucepan over high heat until boiling.
  2. Add rice and vegetable, cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes until cooked.
  3. Before serving, mix in 1/2 cup parmesan cheese or enough to desired flavor.

When economic times are tough, meals can be made a little more cheaply without having to suffer in flavor or health. Using rice as a main course meal is a great way to keep the dinners enjoyable and tasty without blowing the budget.

The copyright of the article Rice as a Main Course in Recipes is owned by Karen Plumley. Permission to republish Rice as a Main Course in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Fried Rice as a Main Course, Karen Plumley Fried Rice as a Main Course
   
What do you think about this article?
NOTE: Because you are not a Suite101 member, your comment will be moderated before it is viewable.
post your comment
What is 7+7?