Tuesdays are "I Tried It Tuesdays" where I'll tell you about something I recently tried -- an item, a movie, an activity, etc.
Today's topic: Long-grain brown rice.
If you've read any women's magazine or health magazine in the last few years, you've probably heard that brown rice is a better food choice, nutritionally, because it contains much more fiber and nutrients than white rice (which has all the "good stuff" stripped away when it's hulled). All rice starts off as brown rice. Only when it's been refined and the bran and germ have been removed is white rice born.
Hey, I'm all for making healthier food choices, so next time I went shopping I grabbed a box of the instant brown rice.
Only.."it's not the same thing...instant is just as nutritionally void as white rice," my doctor running friend informed me one morning when I proudly told him we'd switched to brown rice.
"You have to buy the stuff in the bag that takes about 40 minutes to make," he said.
So I did.
Did I like it? Yes, definitely. Brown rice has much more texture and flavor than regular rice. I, personally, loved the change. My husband remarked that it was "chewy, but not horrible." The kids didn't seem to notice at all.
What does it taste like? It is chewier than white rice and has a slightly "nutty" flavor. If you love white rice or have a white rice lover, changing to brown could be a difficult transition. I suggest you start by mixing a little prepared brown rice in with prepared white rice. Use more brown than white every time you make rice.
Preparing it: Following the package directions is easy, but it takes a long time -- like 35 to 40 minutes -- so this kind of rice is not good for last-minute meal planning.
Serving it: I love brown rice sprayed with Parkay Butter Spray and sprinkled with salt. I also love it sprinkled with Molly McButter Cheese sprinkles. And, sometimes I just eat it with a little soy sauce.
Cooking shortcut: If you know you're going to have brown rice with dinner...put the rice in a saucepan with the proper amount of water and put it in the fridge. When you get home, the rice will have absorbed some of the water and it will take less time to cook (about 20 minutes).
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes. Buy a bag this weekend. Give it a try. If you don't like it...keep trying it. You'll grow to love it and will soon turn your nose up at white rice.
Did you try brown rice? Did you love it? Hate it? Did your family get used to it? Feel free to add your two cents by commenting on this post!