Epicurious makes cooking much simpler with its user-friendly interface and powerful set of tools, including automatic shopping list generation, sorting/searching capability, voice control capabilities and built-in timer.
The app boasts a vast library of recipes suitable for users at all experience levels, with video tutorials to assist newcomers to get cooking.
1. Instant Rice
Instant rice recipes provide an effortless and quick way to create flavorful, balanced meals in minutes.
Instant rice is dehydrated white or brown rice processed into powder form that has been packaged and sold in individual serving packets to large family size boxes.
Instant rice differs from its uncooked counterpart in that it has been pre-cooked and enhanced with nutrients before dehydration, meaning preparation time is reduced dramatically while it fits easily into all diets.
Instant rice has its share of downsides, such as an unfortunate lack of flavor and nutritional value loss due to processing, which transforms it into an unpleasant clump of tasteless kernels.
At times it can be challenging to find instant rice that does not contain added sugars or sodium. If you want to make healthy choices there are options that come without preservatives and contain only whole grains.
Minute(r) Brown Rice has been specially developed to deliver more whole grains in less than one-fourth the time required by traditional brown rice recipes, while also coming packaged in a smaller, more convenient box than its traditional counterparts.
For optimal rice results, always follow the instructions on the package and add desired liquid (broth or juice) prior to cooking.
Alternatively, microwave the rice for several more minutes until tender enough to eat but not soggy or watery.
Alternative to microwaving your rice is to use the stove top. In this method, use a skillet to saute onion until translucent before stirring in dry rice and continuing cooking for approximately five minutes until tender and golden-brown. Feel free to add additional flavors like garlic, onions or olive oil as desired to add even more zest!
2. White Rice
White rice is an ingredient widely used in various recipes. It can serve as the foundation of soups, stews and casseroles or simply be enjoyed alone as part of a nutritious diet.
White rice differs from brown in that it has been refined to remove bran and germ layers before being fortified with iron, thiamine, and folate to increase its nutritional value.
White rice contains significantly less fiber than brown rice and may have lower concentrations of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium and zinc compared with its counterpart; nevertheless it remains an essential part of a balanced diet when eaten moderately along with other nutritious ingredients.
As important is considering the glycemic index of rice. While both types contain carbohydrates, white is more likely to increase blood sugar levels rapidly and cause insulin resistance – increasing your risk for chronic diseases.
Though white rice may be a staple food in many people’s diets, its high glycemic index could pose issues for those living with diabetes or other medical conditions that necessitate a low-glycemic diet. If this applies to you, it’s best to steer clear of white or switch out for brown or less processed alternatives with lower GI such as barley.
Epicurious offers an assortment of rice dishes, from quick and easy dishes to gluten-free and vegetarian choices, offering something delicious for every type of cook and meal planner. Their app offers features like Recipe Boxes, shopping list autofill features, sorting/search capabilities and voice control to make cooking and meal planning simpler than ever!
On its home screen is an array of recipes for you to browse by main ingredient, cuisine type, dish type, diet requirement or event.
The app also comes equipped with Apple Watch support, making it simple and accessible when cooking in the kitchen. Plus, its built-in timer makes cooking fast a reality – an invaluable feature for busy home chefs!
3. Jasmine Rice
Jasmine rice, originally found in Thailand and popular in southeast Asian cuisine, offers an aromatic, long-grain variety with unique flavors and textures, used as part of curries or other dishes to bring them out even more.
Brown jasmine rice provides more protein, fiber, iron and other essential nutrients than its white counterpart. Brown varieties typically offer softer textures while offering even greater amounts of essential proteins and micronutrients than their white counterpart.
One cup of cooked jasmine rice provides 181 calories, 39 grams of carbs, 4 grams of protein and one gram of fat. It provides good sources of dietary fiber and B vitamins while providing small amounts of calcium and iron.
Jasmine rice makes for a tasty side dish or even added as part of more complex dishes such as pilafs and casseroles, not forgetting dessert options such as rice pudding or chocolate bars!
Jasmine rice offers an ideal, nutritious alternative to processed grains and refined foods, boasting abundant folate for healthy pregnancies as well as iron, which contributes to a stronger immune system and may reduce heart disease risk. According to its nutritional facts, jasmine rice provides many essential benefits that make it a delicious and wholesome food choice.
To maximize the nutritional benefits of rice, choose a high-quality brand that has either been certified organic or is fortified with additional nutrients. Be sure to read labels closely for added chemicals and dates on packaging – these will all maximize benefits!
Whole grain jasmine rice offers more nutritional value and helps lower the glycemic index than white jasmine, due to the abundance of phytonutrients and antioxidants it contains. While processing strips away most nutrients from white jasmine rice, whole grain jasmine provides greater nutrition while simultaneously helping lower its glycemic index rating.
Jasmine rice is a classic Asian side dish that is easy to prepare with the proper ingredients and cooking techniques. Steamed or combined with herbs and spices, it pairs especially well with curries such as this Thai Green Curry with Shrimp recipe. Plus, making fried rice at home has never been simpler!
4. Basmati Rice
Basmati rice, commonly found in Indian and Pakistan cuisines, is prized for its fragrant floral fragrance and soft texture that make it suitable in various Asian dishes.
Rice varieties that contain less arsenic are also often packed with essential vitamins and minerals that provide health benefits to its consumers, making white variants the more popular option.
At the core of all great basmati rice lies quality ingredients and proper techniques for their preparation. Starting by washing it properly to remove excess starch and prevent grains from sticking together during cooking, then use just enough water per cup so it stays fluffy but doesn’t become soggy or soggy afterward.
Add oil to the pan at the very end, but wait to do this until your finished cooking the rice – this will add glossiness and improve mouthfeel for optimal results.
When cooking rice, take care to adjust both heat and time appropriately so it doesn’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pot. Keep it covered to allow steaming during its process.
After your rice has finished cooking, remove it from the heat and allow it to sit before refrigerating or placing back on the stove for further fluffiness. By allowing more moisture into your grain it can absorb even more, leading to fluffier results!
If you’re new to rice-cooking, the process may seem complex at first glance; but it really couldn’t be simpler! Just ensure the appropriate ratio of water-to-rice, and you will soon have yourself the ideal bowl of grains ready to enjoy.
Rice offers more than just delicious flavors and vibrant hues; it also provides numerous health advantages. Rice is an excellent source of B vitamins such as B1 (thiamine) which may help lower your risk for certain diseases; additionally it’s low in sodium and cholesterol content and contains small amounts of fiber which may help lower blood sugar levels and decrease risk factors associated with heart disease.