Ditch the Boxed Rice Mixes! 2 Recipes for Naturally Flavored Grains

Abigail Blank - The Upside Blog | Vitacost.com/blog

by | Updated: December 3rd, 2016 | Read time: 1 minute

Being an 80’s kid, I grew up with the weird amalgamation of the remnants of my mom’s hippie days and the exploding market of processed foods. My mom cooked fresh foods a lot, but the ease and convenience of products like boxed rice side dishes snuck their way into our consciousness and ended up on our table from time to time.

Homemade Spanish Rice

I have happy memories of those foods, regardless of what I know now about their contents. So, in an effort to conjure those feelings of nostalgia, I’ve created a couple delicious rice recipes that let me toss the box but not the remembrances.

Spanish Rice

Ingredients
2 cups organic brown rice
3 cups water
1 cup organic diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

  1. In large pot, combine water, diced tomatoes and rice.
  2. Bring to a boil then reduce to low heat.
  3. Cover and let simmer for 25 minutes.
  4. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Wild Rice

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups organic wild rice
3 cups organic chicken broth
1 garlic clove (minced)
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. rosemary
1 tsp. olive oil

Directions

  1. In large skillet, heat olive oil and minced garlic.
  2. Add wild rice, onion powder and oregano to oil and toast over medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
  3. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Fluff and serve.