Rice is one of the most versatile and nutrient-dense whole grains in the world. Cooked properly, it’s a great base for soups, curries, sushi and bowls.
We’ve got recipes for everything from basics and side dishes to filling mains that are quick and easy to make. Plus, we’ve got a few tips on how to cook rice perfectly, so you’ll be able to get the most out of it!
Onigiri
Japanese rice balls (onigiri) are a delicious, easy-to-make snack that is also a staple in Japan’s bento boxes. They are typically made from short-grain rice that has the right amount of starch to hold together in a ball, but you can also use long-grain rice as well.
They are a simple and delicious rice recipe that can be filled with a wide variety of different ingredients, including seasoned fish, tempura shrimp, edamame, shichimi togarashi, cucumber, avocado, sesame seeds, and many more. They are a great alternative to sandwiches for lunch, and can be easily packed in a bento box or eaten on the go.
To make an onigiri, first cook the rice according to your recipe. Once the rice is cooked, make a small well in the centre of the rice and then add your chosen fillings. Some popular onigiri fillings include flaked salmon, umeboshi (pickled plum), spicy seasoned cod roe, shrimp tempura, tuna mayonnaise, and more.
Shape the rice into an onigiri by hand or with a rice ball mold. If you don’t have an onigiri mold, you can use plastic wrap to shape the onigiri by pressing it gently with your palms and fingers.
You can also find premade onigiri shapes in Japanese convenience stores and grocery stores. These onigiri come in a range of shapes, from basic triangles to flowers and assorted animals. They are adorable, fun, and delicious!
These onigiri can be served at room temperature, or toasted in a pan brushed with sesame oil. They are a great way to use up leftover rice and other sides you have in your fridge!
Another option is to add a strip of seaweed around your onigiri. This will help your onigiri keep its shape. You can even roll the onigiri in sesame seeds or sprinkle them with shichimi togarashi for added flavor and spice!
You can also add a little Japanese seasoning called furikake, which is often sprinkled over sushi. This can add a new dimension of taste to your onigiri and is available in packets at your local Asian grocer or online.
California Rolls
The California roll is one of the most popular types of sushi. It consists of avocado, crab meat, cucumber, and rice. The ingredients are rolled in a nori sheet and sliced into bite-sized pieces. The roll is often topped with a variety of condiments, including sriracha mayo or salmon roe.
This type of sushi is known for its unique inside-out design. Some people claim it was invented in Vancouver by chef Hidekazu Tojo, but others believe it was created by Los Angeles sushi chefs Ichiro Mashita and Ken Seusa.
However, regardless of which version is correct, the California roll is a sushi classic and has become an icon for Japanese cuisine. It’s easy to make at home, and is perfect for lunch or appetizers.
You will need a nori sheet, rice, crab meat or imitation crab, cucumber, avocado, and toasted sesame seeds. You can find these ingredients at any well-stocked grocery store or Asian market.
To make the roll, place a nori sheet on a sushi mat (or a clean dish towel). Add the cucumbers and avocado on top of the seaweed. Then, add a few pieces of crab meat and a teaspoon of mayo on top of that. Finally, sprinkle the sesame seeds on top of the fillings.
Step 2: Carefully line the nori sheet with the julienned cucumbers and slices of avocado. Then, add a few pieces each of the crab meat and mayo mixtures. You can also use a combination of the two.
Once you’ve layered all of the ingredients, carefully roll the sushi until it turns into a firm cylinder. You can then cut the California roll into even pieces.
Then, you can serve it with a side of wasabi and sushi ginger, or any other condiments you like. The best way to eat these rolls is right away, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to an hour.
If you’re new to sushi, the California roll is a great place to start. It’s inexpensive, doesn’t require any raw fish, and has a simple flavor. Plus, they’re super portable so you can take them anywhere. If you’re looking for more variety, try a different roll style. The California hand roll, also known as a temaki, is a fun alternative that combines the ingredients of a traditional California roll with an innovative shape.
Black Rice Salad
Black rice (also known as forbidden rice or emperor’s rice) is one of the most nutritionally dense grains, high in antioxidants and iron. It’s also low in calories and sodium and is high in dietary fiber.
This healthy rice recipe is a deliciously light, filling lunch that’s great for the whole family. It’s topped with a fresh cilantro-lime vinaigrette and served with a variety of colorful vegetables, including sweet mango, crunchy red onion and roasted almonds. This is a simple yet impressive dish that’s perfect for potlucks or entertaining, or even as a lunch for the week.
It’s quick to prepare and makes a nice change from the usual savory rice dishes we often make. The nutty taste and nutrient-rich black rice provide the foundation for this salad.
Rinse and cook the black rice according to package directions. It will take a little longer to cook than white rice.
While the rice is cooking, make the dressing: Combine lime juice, olive oil, garlic, honey or agave syrup, salt and cilantro in a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are well combined.
When the rice is done cooking, toss it with the dressing. Cover and place in the refrigerator to cool for about an hour before adding in the rest of the salad ingredients.
Once the rice has cooled, mix it in with the other ingredients and toss together again. Serve immediately or refrigerate for a few hours to let all of the flavors come together.
This is a very easy, fast and healthy recipe for black rice. The nutty taste and unique purple color of the rice provide the basis for this salad. The roasted vegetables, chickpeas, feta cheese and fresh herbs add a lot of flavor to the dish.
It’s a perfect side dish to serve with any meal, but it’s especially festive for Thanksgiving or Rosh Hashanah. The pomegranate arils, grated apples and date syrup represent symbolic holiday foods, and the roasted butternut squash adds a delicious touch of autumn to this salad.
This is a tasty vegetarian rice recipe for lunch that’s easy to make and has a rich, nutty flavor. It’s also packed with healthy ingredients and a versatile dressing that can be used for any dish.
Sushi Rolls
Sushi is one of the most popular rice recipes for lunch, and it’s easy to make at home. You only need a few basic ingredients, including sushi rice, sheets of seaweed (nori) and fillings.
The first step in making a sushi roll is to mix together cooked, short grain sushi rice with vinegar and sugar. This mixture will be sticky enough to hold everything in place when it comes time to roll up the sushi.
Once the sushi is rolled up, you can add some additional toppings to the roll for extra flavor and texture. Some popular garnishes include wasabi, soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Having the right ingredients will help you create sushi rolls that are delicious and Instagram-worthy. Some popular fillings for sushi rolls include smoked salmon and cream cheese for Philadelphia Rolls, imitation crab meat and cucumber for California Rolls, avocado and carrot for Avocado Rolls and shrimp tempura for Dragon Rolls.
You can also try adding spicy tuna, eel or shrimp tempura for an exotic touch. You can even top your sushi with spicy mayonnaise for an extra kick!
Once you’ve finished rolling the sushi, wet the edges of the nori with a little water. This will seal the roll and give it a more firm shape.
When you’re ready to eat your sushi, dip it in soy sauce and wasabi. These condiments will add a bit of spice to your meal, and you can drink some sake with it to complete the experience.
There are lots of different sushi rolls to choose from, and each one is made with a specific type of rice and fillings. So, it’s hard to know which ones are the best.
Some of the more popular types of sushi include New York Rolls, Dragon Rolls, Spider Rolls and California Rolls. These types of sushi rolls all have different kinds of rice and fillings, but they all share the same technique for rolling them.
The most important thing when making a sushi roll is to use the correct kind of rice. You cannot just use regular white or brown rice, it needs to be cooked and seasoned with vinegar, sugar and salt. If you do not, the rice will fall apart when it is rolled into a sushi roll.