5 Dinner Ideas from 1 Pot of Rice

We are big fans of throwing together dishes that take little effort. And rice is s staple that can be turned into a number of easy dishes. Whether you are going for fibre with brown rice, the quick route with Minute Rice, or the “Damn, I still have a full pot of rice leftover in the fridge” route, here are five quick and easy dinners you can whip up with a pot of rice:

1. Fried Rice:

Kids love fried rice and you can use up leftover rice and take a look in the fridge and see what else you’ve got on hand. We like the following simple combination:

• An inch of ground fresh ginger (optional)
• A crushed clove of garlic (optional)
• A dash of five spice (optional)
• Butter or olive oil (or a combination of both)
• A small diced onion
• Two eggs beaten
• Soy sauce
• A few chopped green onions
• A cup of leftover meat such as chicken or pork cubed

Heat the oil in the pan and toss in the onion, garlic, ginger, and five spice. Stir fry until the onion becomes translucent and then toss in the meat. Cook until warmed through and then push to the side of the pan. Add beaten eggs and scramble in the pan and then mix everything together. Throw in the rice and stir fry until warm and then add soy sauce to taste. Add the chopped green onion and voila, instant fried rice that’s better than take out.

2. Mexican Rice:

This is an easy way to create a yummy Mexican dish. Brown five slices of bacon until almost crisp and then sauté a small onion, a clove of crushed garlic, fresh peppers (use a jalapeno if you want it spicy) and a teaspoon of chilli powder in the bacon fat. Add a cup of corn (frozen works well), and a small can of drained black beans (you can use pinto or kidney) and sauté.  Add a jar of your favourite salsa and heat through. Place rice in a baking dish and cover with sauce and toss until evenly coated. Cover with Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese and bake until cheese melts and the rice becomes bubbly. Serve with additional grated cheese, a dollop of sour cream and a spoonful of salsa. You can do this recipe sans the bacon if you prefer.

3. Spanish Rice:

Spanish rice is a classic side dish that every mom had their own recipe for in the ’70s. This retro dish is easy to reincarnate with your own twist with the addition of chicken, sausage, shrimp, or ground beef. Basic ingredients include green peppers, onions, canned tomatoes, and garlic (fresh or powdered). You can add your favourite blend of peppers, a nice smoky paprika, a pinch of saffron and your protein of choice to create a new meal from this old favourite.

4. Stuffed Peppers:

Stuffed peppers take a little more effort but will soon be high on your list for crowd pleasers. Half and core three or four large bell peppers. Add a can of plain tomato sauce to the bottom of a baking dish and place the peppers in the pan. Sauté onion and garlic for a few minutes and then add a package of extra lean ground beef and brown. Add about 2 cups of cooked rice and mix thoroughly. Season with black pepper and some salt to taste. Fill the peppers until slightly mounded. Bake covered for at least 45 minutes until the peppers are nice and tender. You can also create a sauce to top before serving using a tin of plain tomato sauce, a pinch of mustard powder and two tablespoons of brown sugar. Give it a Southwestern flair with a package of taco seasoning added to the meat. Use salsa in the bottom of the pan instead of tomato sauce and top the filling with plenty of cheese before baking.

5. Cabbage and Rice Soup:

If you love cabbage a pot of rice can be turned into a hearty soup you can cook low and slow on a Sunday afternoon. Sauté a whole onion, three cloves of crushed garlic and a stalk of chopped celery for a few minutes. Add a package of extra lean ground beef and brown. Add a whole medium cabbage roughly chopped (not shredded as it will turn to mush) a can of diced tomatoes, 2 litres of beef broth, a ¼ cup of chilli sauce and simmer until the cabbage becomes tender. Add a cup of cooked rice and cook for another 20 minutes or so and serve in big bowls with lots of crusty, buttered bread.