I’ll be honest—I used to think rice was boring. For context, I grew up on plain ol’ white rice and butter (so… not much of a culinary adventure, if ya know what I mean). But thanks to my nutritionist schooling and kitchen experimentations with cuisines like Indian, Mexican, and Korean, I’ve learned that rice is like a blank canvas that can be transformed into a flavorful side or star of the show!
Types of Rice
Let’s talk about the different kinds of rice because, believe it or not, there’s a whole world beyond your average bowl of white rice! Rice can be grouped into three categories: short, medium, and long grain.
Short Grain: These types are wider than they are long, and they’re generally best for when you want sticky clusters of rice. Long Grain: On the other hand, long grain rice is 4 to 5 times longer than wide—great for fluffy, distinct grains! Medium Grain: Right in the middle, these grains are a tad sticky and creamy, making them the best of both worlds.
Each group’s rice varieties are characterized by their features, like stickiness or firmness. Here are a few common types of rice.
Sushi Rice: This short-grain rice is super sticky when cooked, making it the obvious choice for all your sushi needs. Arborio Rice: This medium-grain rice is packed with amylopectin starch, which makes it perfect for an ultra-creamy risotto meal. Brown Rice: Known as whole grain rice, this type still has its outer hull layer, giving you more fiber and vitamins. Jasmine Rice: This long-grain rice has a mildly sweet flavor and a sticky texture, making it the perfect match for curries.
Vegetarian Rice Recipes
Speaking of recipes, here are 19 vegetarian rice recipes packed with flavor! From spicy curries and burrito bowls to salads and deconstructed sushi, we’re covering it all.
