Ready for Rice

Rice is one of the most widely consumed grain crops in the world and a staple of the world's diet. Like so many grains, it has a very mild flavor and therefore is excellent with a large variety of other foods and flavors. Rice's versatility makes it a great addition to a nearly infinite number of recipes and meals. Vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and cheese, among other ingredients, can be combined with a variety of rices to produce both hearty main dishes as well as endless side dishes that complement almost any entrée.

Rice is easy to prepare on a stovetop, requiring only water to cook. Though they don't significantly reduce cooking time, electric rice cookers automatically control temperature and time, which makes cooking rice practically hands-free and greatly helps prevent over- or undercooked rice. Once you master the basic technique for preparing rice, you can add flavors and textures to suit your needs.

Good Question: What is basmati rice?

A long-grained rice from South Asia, basmati has a distinctly nutty taste. Brown basmati takes about 50% longer to cook than its white counterpart. It's toothier and has more fiber than white rice.