All Rice Natural

Not so long ago, in Western cooking, rice was used only for milky puddings or as a bland side dish; bland even when served with well liked food like curries or Chinese cuisine. There were a few regional rarities, like some Creole gumbos, risottos, or paella, but those dishes remained just that: regional. Rice was not rightly valued as the enjoyable, resourceful, easy food it really is.

Today we are used to travel, and with ethnic restaurants are springing all over, we have had the opportunity to taste wonderful rice dishes. Chefs are introducing amazing new recipes in all sorts of media. Sushi, pilaf, risotto, paella, rice noodles are fast turning into everyday words. We are beginning to understand how rice has become a daily ritual in so many diverse cultures.

Getting global has brought new and better rice products to the every supermarket aisle and what once were exotic meals are now well within reach of every home cook. Rice can surprise you, enjoy it and discover its full potential.

World Food and Wine

Rice Varieties

Rice was originally native to India and Indo-China, but is now grown in many other areas including the Po river valley, in Italy, Valencia, in Spain, and California, Louisiana or Texas in the United States. There are now more than 800 varieties of rice.

Thai Flavor

Thailand, a country where a meal means rice accompanied by other dishes. Flavors of Thailand, a look at the traditional ingredients used in Thai cooking.

Once your pantry is full of Thai flavor, try those fresh tastes and aromas and the simplicity of their food with a Thai green chicken curry or chicken satay to accompany that fragrant Thai basmati rice.

Cooking Techniques

Steps to Perfect Rice

To prepare a simple boiled rice all you need is a medium-sized saucepan with a well fitting lid, a sieve, a fork, a teaspoon, and measuring cups. Just in case, also tips about how to cook rice in the oven, microwave, steamer, or pressure cooker.

Garlic White Rice

Really easy to prepare, and quick, around 20 minutes once you have got the hang of it. It is also the most liked white rice recipe in our repertoire. It is usually served as a side dish with meat, fish, pulses or eggs. Very versatile. For instance, serve this rice with fried bananas, fried eggs, bacon, and tomato sauce; now you have be Cuban rice on your plate.

Your Questions and Suggestions

Dou you have a recipe for pound cake without butter?

From: Casey, Montclair, NJ

Find a recipe for a dairy free pound cake in All Foods Natural online recipe collection.

Coming Next

Coming in June

We could have writen write a whole book about rice, another about Thai cuisine. Choosing what recipes to include was a difficult task. Extra recipes meant the newsletter wouldn't fit into your mail box. We did not want you to miss out, so expect to see published some more rice and Thai recipes in All Foods Natural cookbook over the next weeks.

In the next issue

What can you expect for next month? We are busy collecting and testing cold soup recipes. You will be able to give them the cold soup, cave in your passion for berries, and serve a five star salmon.