Brown rice help

[Rhonda_Melones]

I just started a new diet program which includes eating brown rice. Well, I found out the hard way it takes 45 mins. to cook but the taste nearly killed me:-P I'd rather suck on a plastic bag than ever have another spoonful of brown rice:( Does anyone have any suggestions on how to improve the taste? I didn't do anything to it when I cooked it, just followed the directions on the bag and tossed it in with a broccoli cheese soup recipe (which also turned out crappy:P). Thanks!

[WenchLadyKate]

I'm not the best cook in the world (I'm getting better) but I usually make rice (white or brown) with chicken boullion or broth instead of water. Not sure what the diet lets you do, but it has to be better than plain brown rice, it is kinda gross on it's own.

[Becca]

oooh Rhonda -- I know what you mean. The first time I cooked brown rice I threw it away. Just this week I tried it again (husband and I are on a new eating regimen also) and I turned out pretty good. I didn't follow the instructions on the package too closely. The rice is too wet when I do.

What I have is 'instant brown rice' so it cooks a lot faster.

I substituted low-fat low-sodium chicken broth for the water called for in the instructions. But used a litle less (about l/8 cup less). I also added thinly sliced carrots, celery and green onion to it for more flavor. (Add those so they cook along with the rice.) I followed the instructions about boiling the rice except let it boil for a longer time than stated (I let it cook down till almost all of the broth was gone -- watch it so it doesn't burn). Stirred in a spoonful of butter, and it was really good.

I hope this helps. Dieting is bad enough without having to endure crappy-tasing food. :blech:

Becca

[rosefaeries]

I would suggest that you get a rice steamer. (Only way I can make edible rice myself.) Brown rice does require more water or liquid of your choice. With a rice steamer, my boys fix rice frequently as a snack. Salt , little bit of butter dumped into the steamer along with the rice helps too.

[Drea Beth]

I user the boil-in-bag type of brown rice. It's not bad at all.

[Leela]

Hear you. The first time I tried to cook brown rice I ended up chucking it. I didn't use enough water, and I cooked it too quickly. :blech:

Once you get the hang of it though...mmm :yum: . I actually prefer it over white rice. It has a nice nutty buttery (when you add butter) flavor that goes very well with red curry and ginger sauces.

I usually cook 1 cup of rice to 2 1/4 cups water. I haven't tried using my rice cooker yet but will the next time I make it. Using stock to cook it yields a tasty result too. You have to keep an eye on it on the stove top to make sure it's simmering at the right rate.

Left over brown rice makes a great pilaf. Fry up some onion, add the rice and some chicken stock, and cook till it gets nice and soft and chewy. Then you can add whatever else you like, almonds, pecans, veggies, dried fruit if you're feeling adventurous.

Give it another try. It's so tasty when you get it right it's worth the experiments!

Good luck,

[Rhonda_Melones]

Thanks for all the suggestions:) I'm on a special routine at the moment, Ballys Nutrition website tells me what to eat for meals and snacks every day within a certain caloric intake so I can't start experimenting at the moment (wanna get into the habit of following directions and making the meals first) but I had to have brown rice again yesterday and stuck half a beef boullon cube in the water which i boiled all the way out like a couple of people suggested on here. It was INCREDIBLE!!! I can definitely see eating this more than white rice:-D The recipe called for Orange Teriyaki Beef, Roasted Vegetables, and Mixed Greens with Cucumber & Onion with the rice. I can't eat raw onions and peppers because it gives me severe heartburn so I ended up sauteeing the onions with the teriyaki beef (substituted with pork:) So, third day in, I don't feel like I wanna jump into a vat of chocolate pudding just yet (unless invited to of course;) and while I'm not stuffed to the gills I'm never hungry, my only hurdle was the brown rice which you guys managed to come to my rescue:-D Thanks everyone!