Rice is an indispensable pantry staple, capable of taking on flavor beautifully while being used in quick weeknight dinners and hearty one-pot soups alike.
Have a delicious and easy rice lunch recipe ready in no time. Perfect for busy professionals on-the-go, some include delicious ingredients like chicken and pork shredded, while others boast seashell-filled meals!
Vegetable Tadka Fried Rice
Vegetable fried rice is an easy and healthy meal option that’s quick and simple to make with fresh or leftover cooked rice, loads of veggies and delicious sauce. Perfect for lunch or dinner when served alongside papad & raita for added crunch! Plus it’s also a great way to use up leftover cooked grains!
Prepare the rice according to package directions. Preheat a large skillet or wok over high heat and add 1 tablespoon oil; saute garlic, ginger & scallions until fragrant for approximately one minute before adding carrots, peas & corn for another few minutes, or until vegetables are soft. Stir in soy sauce, sugar, salt & pepper before stirring in cooked and chilled rice as a final step and tasting as necessary before tossing green ends of scallions for garnishment before serving immediately.
Vegetable Fried Rice Variations: you can customize the ingredients to your own preferences for this delicious fried rice dish, such as by swapping out different vegetables on hand. Also feel free to experiment with different kinds of grains such as brown or jasmine rice and adding in toasted sesame oil for an extra special touch! Fry your rice until the aroma becomes fragrant. Try adding scrambled eggs or tofu for extra protein, and enjoy as-is or topping it off with additional toppings, such as roasted peanuts or pickled onions for an exciting combination. It will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for two or three days; simply reheat by stirring in a few tablespoons of water prior to serving so as to prevent it from becoming dry or sticky!
Lemon Coriander Rice
This Lemon Rice Recipe from South India is an easy and quick lunch or dinner solution, ideal for when you need a light and refreshing lunch or dinner dish in under 20 minutes. Not only that but it can be served alongside any curry as is or along with raita or mint flavored lemonade for extra refreshing flavors – plus its versatility makes it an ideal addition for kids’ tiffins and lunch boxes too!
This tasty and refreshing dish can be prepared using any variety of white or brown rice, from long grain to short grain types and basmati or jasmine varieties, or a combination of both. Just ensure you use the appropriate ratio between uncooked rice and water based on its type – for instance 1 cup uncooked will yield 3 cups cooked when using jasmine or basmati varieties; I always advise soaking as it helps ensure even and quick cooking times.
Key ingredients of this simple lemon rice dish include ginger, fresh coriander leaves – cilantro and green chilies as flavor enhancers, as well as chopped roasted peanuts as an optional extra. Plus the zest from one fresh lemon adds an additional dimension of taste and texture!
To make lemon rice, start by cooking your grains – either using a rice cooker or stove top. I typically opt for long-grain and short-grain white varieties but brown varieties could work equally well in this recipe.
After cooking the rice, it should be allowed to cool slightly before mixing with tempering ingredients and stirring thoroughly to combine flavors. Finally, pour fresh lemon juice overtop before garnishing with cilantro before serving.
If desired, feel free to replace coriander leaves with parsley or basil for an alternative taste sensation. In lieu of pepper flakes, try mixing in minced garlic for extra zest!
South Indian Thengai Sadam
Coconut rice is a classic South Indian staple. Enjoyed alongside curries or stews, it makes a simple yet hearty lunch or breakfast choice and grated coconut makes the dish more aromatic while helping keep its freshness for extended lunch box excursions.
Thengai sadam is an extremely popular lunch box recipe in Tamil Nadu and can be made using just a few ingredients. Combining deliciously fragrant rice with crunchy lentils and cashew nuts adds plenty of texture, making this dish flavorful, delicious, satisfying, and enjoyable – great for those who don’t enjoy spicy food as this mild recipe offers crunch!
It’s quick, easy and perfect for busy families! Just grab some basic pantry items – rice and coconut are essential – then create this simple yet healthy alternative to regular boiled rice in just minutes. Great for lunch boxes or quick dinner!
To begin preparing this delicious rice dish, first heat one tablespoon of oil in a kadai and once hot add mustard seeds and urad dal. Saute until light brown before adding curry leaves and green chilies for approximately one more minute before finally mixing in grated coconut, either fresh or frozen if necessary – frozen coconut should first be defrosted before being added to your mix!
Assemble the mixture and combine with cooked rice gently. Feel free to add chopped coriander if desired, before serving alongside potato roast and papad. This dish is great to bring along for work or school as it’s kid-friendly, easily stored in the refrigerator until meal time, as well as satisfying and filling enough to last throughout the day.
Thakkali Rice
Tomato rice is one of the easiest and most delicious South Indian variety rice dishes to prepare, made by mixing tomatoes and spices with cooked rice. The dish can easily be made for weeknight dinners or lunch boxes and it features an aromatic blend of black mustard seeds, curry leaves and cashews for extra flavor – often garnished with fresh cilantro!
Make this recipe with either leftover or freshly prepared rice, depending on what works for you. For freshly-prepared grains, cook as usual (any kind of white will do), drain off excess liquid after it has cooked, then allow to cool before refrigerating or using your pressure cooker – adding just a small amount of additional water as necessary until everything has cooked thoroughly before turning off the heat and taking it out of its vessel.
Start this delicious tomato rice by chopping two large tomatoes and mincing two cloves of garlic (or use canned tomatoes if available). Combine chopped tomatoes, garlic, ginger, chili powder, coriander powder and peppercorns in a saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat; keep stirring and keep going until tomatoes have softened into pulpy form and the mix has reached desired dryness – this should take just minutes or two at most!
At this stage, add 1/4 tsp cumin powder and 1/2 tsp turmeric powder to the mixture and saute for 2 or 3 minutes to lightly toast these spices.
Add the cooled rice and mix well, adding any chopped greens that you like as desired. Your dish is now ready to serve; serve this thakkali rice dish alongside papad or potato chips for crunchiness; if packing this as lunch box lunches be sure to pack plain yogurt or raita as well.
Thakkali rice is an easy and satisfying family meal that everyone can enjoy together. Perfectly healthy yet filling, thakkali can be served alone or combined with papads or potato chips for added crunchiness. Furthermore, its versatility means it can be served alongside various side dishes such as curds, pickles and raita for maximum variety.