We’ve all heard that brown rice is better for us than white rice. Rice is a great for reduced fat meals and as a source of complex carbohydrates. But how do you make it? It’s not too hard, really. This article will get you started cooking and using it in some common and unique combinations. Brown rice, or hulled rice, is rice with all or most of its outer husks. This unmilled or partly milled rice is a whole natural grain with a mild nutty flavor, that is chewier and more nutritious than white rice. The down side is that it can spoil more quickly because of the germ (similar to wheat germ), which is the part that is removed to make white rice.HOW TO COOK BROWN RICEAdd one part rice to one and half parts water (1 cup rice and 2.5 cups water) which should make 3.5 cups cooked rice

Stir once, cover, and bring to a boil

Turn heat down and simmer for 45 minutes

Let stand off the heat for another 5 minutes (optional)If using a rice cooker, add rice and water with the same ratio and click the COOK button. When cooking any and all rice, never stir while it is cooking to avoid mushy rice.For best results do not rinse before or drain after cooking. For firmer rice use less water and simmer for a shorter time. For softer rice, use more water and simmer for a longer time. Do not lift lid while cooking, steam cooks the rice.HOW TO STORE BROWN RICEStore in an air-tight container. It should keep about six months in your cupboard (white rice keeps almost indefinitely).VARIATIONS ON COOKING RICEAdd 1 teaspoon salt to the water

Add 1 teaspoon butter or margarine

For some or all of the liquid, use vegetable broth

For some or all of the liquid, use chicken broth

For some or all of the liquid, use beef brothTHINGS TO DO WITH LEFTOVERSBrown Rice with Veggies and Sesame Seeds

Brown Rice Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Green Chile Brown RiceR E C I P E S-RICE WITH VEGGIES AND SESAME SEEDSIngredients2 cups cooked brown rice

1 teaspoon sesame or vegetable oil

1/4 cup onions

1/4 cup green onions

1/4 cup bell pepper (any color)DirectionsHeat oil for one minute, add chopped veggies and sauté for a few minutes. Combine rice and reduce heat. Cook for 3 minutes and remove from heat. Add sesame seeds.-RICE SALAD WITH CITRUS VINAIGRETTEIngredients2 cups cooked brown rice

2 carrots, grated

1 cup pea pods, thinly sliced on an angle

1 small red onion, minced

6 green onions, thinly sliced on an angle

Citrus Basil Vinaigrette, recipe follows

Cilantro, chopped and/or mint leaves for garnishDirectionsCombine rice and vegetables in a large bowl. Add vinaigrette and stir to combine. Let the salad sit at room temperature before serving. Garnish with herbs-Citrus Basil VinaigretteIngredients3/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup lime juice

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (can also use mint leaves)

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 heaping tablespoon honey

1/2 cup canola oilDirectionsCombine all ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 minuteGREEN CHILI RICEIngredients2 cups cooked brown rice

1 bell pepper (any color)

1 medium onion

2 cloves garlic

1/2 jalapeno

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1 lime, juiced

1/4 cup green onions

3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, choppedDirectionsSauté bell pepper, onion, garlic, jalapeño, oregano, and cumin for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in cooked rice, lime juice, green onions and cilantro… the perfect spicy side-dish!!

More Information- en.wikipedia.org Davee Kaplan is an expert author for Ezinearticles.com, writes her own blog, microblogs on Twitter and Facebook, has product critiques on Amazon, buyer/seller critiques for eBay, service critiques for ServiceMaster, and restaurant critiques for Yelp and Zagat. Follow Davee on her blog at http://EatAndDance.com, and EatAndDance on twitter.

Tags: Brown, Things

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