Our Favorite Rice Recipes

A brief note about rice types...

Different types of rice have different health implications. Generally the shorter grains are much starchier and affect blood glucose more adversely. We all know that the bran from any grain is high in fiber and other beneficial nutrients such as antioxidants. You can achieve a much healthier rice dish by using any rice that includes the bran, such as brown rice. Other rices that make better choices are black (chinese imperial) rice and white basmati rice.

New evidence suggests that the preparation method for starches like rice or pasta, affects the type of starch in the finished dish. In essence, cooking in a particular fashion can convert digestible starch (bad for you) into indigestible or 'resistant' starch (passes through the digestive tract rather than being metabolized by the body). You can think of it similarly to the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber. Here's an article with links to reference material if you want to read further.

Below are some common rice now available. Listed from top with lesser positive nutritional benefits (top) to most positive at the bottom.

  1. Short grain rice (Arborio, Baldo, Carnaroli, Padano, Roma, Vialone Nano, Calasparra, Bomba)
  2. Long-grain rice
  3. Jasmine rice
  4. Brown rice
  5. White basmati
  6. Brown basmati
  7. Black 'forbidden' rice
  8. Wild rice

Rice

  1. Saffron Rice (brown basmati)
  2. Chickpea Pilaf (brown basmati)
  3. Lamb Pilaf (brown basmati)
  4. Mujadara (Mujaddara, Moujaddra) (brown or white basmati rice)
  5. Vegetarian Fried Rice (brown basmati rice)
  6. Vegetarian (Vegan) Paella (short grain rice)
  7. Chicken and Wild Rice (wild rice)
  8. Summer Garden Paella (white basmati)
  9. Jalapeno Rice (white basmati)
  10. Spicy Wild Rice
  11. Basic Wild Rice
  12. Fideos & White Basmati Rice
  13. Rice on the Side (brown basmati)
  14. Spanish Rice (jasmine)
  15. Favas with Lamb and Rice (white basmati)
  16. Green Chile Rice (white long grain)
  17. Green Risotto (white basmati)
  18. Risotto with Peas & Prosciutto (arborio)
  19. Sausage Risotto with Chard (white basmati)
  20. Risotto with Green Peas & Bacon (jasmine rice)
  21. Easy Risotto (white short grain)
  22. Basmati Risotto (white basmati)
  23. Traditional Risotto (white short grain)
  24. Seafood Paella (white short grain)
  25. Traditional Spanish Paella (white short grain)