On most evenings, I get back home so tired that a bowlful of rice is all I can manage to whip up before I hit the sack. Not that I’m complaining. Truth be told, given a choice, I’d happily choose rice over all other food anyway. But on days when I’m running particularly low on energy, and can’t fathom rolling out rotis, rice certainly comes to my rescue.
And who doesn’t love rice, right? Didn’t Priyanka Chopra also happily declare dal-rice to be her favourite dish? Well, not like it changed anything for me, but if you think of it, rice is pretty easy to cook and helps me multitask with élan. Just thinking about all chores I am able to do while my rice is cooking on the stove makes me happy. Cleaning the shelves in my closet, ironing out my clothes for the next day, a little bit of yoga… the list is never-ending. After all, there is no stirring, browning, chopping or grinding required. Can you imagine the time and effort saved? Plus, you can season it in whatever way you like. Have you ever tried to eat a bowl of rice with readymade schezuan chutney? Or cooked your rice with basil? It is just so much more flavourful.
But now that I’ve turned lethargic after skipping one too many gym sessions, I’ve been worrying about gaining weight with my rice intake. And my friends’ rants about how fattening rice is were frankly getting to me. So I decided to do my own research. You’ll never believe what I discovered. Rice isn’t fattening at all.
Rice is a great source of healthy carbohydrates that provide us the much-needed fuel (energy) we need to get through the day and adds to our essential daily calories. So mind you, skipping the good carbohydrate for a fad diet or weight loss regimen isn’t really for the better.
And all those myths about rice being high in calories and not suitable for sedentary people – are absolutely baseless. So skip the guilt and enjoy rice in right portions. Switch to Best Foods Basmati Rice (recommended by Indian Culinary Forum – India’s Association of Professional Chefs) that cooks up fluffy with separate grains and enjoy a comforting, happy and healthy meal.
Now that the myths are sorted and I am not guilty about my rice indulgences anymore, let me come to the best part of eating a rice meal. Because of its simple cooking technique, men who are mostly clueless in the kitchen can also make it. That means you can put your feet up and relax while hubby dearest does his share of the cooking. (Yes, you should make that a rule in your house too.)
I am a true rice lover so various pulao and biryani recipes are always on my iPad’s bookmark list, not only because I love cooking (and eating), but also because rice is one dish that can be revamped into multiple other delectables like rice pakoras, rice paranthas and even fried rice! And let’s not forget how it makes for a complete meal with only a little creativity. So the next time you’ve got some leftover rice, just cook up an entirely new dish that’s sinfully delicious just like I do.
Myth vs Reality
Myth: RICE IS FATTENING
Reality: Rice is not high in calories. A standard half-cup-serving of boiled rice provides approximately 120 calories, which is similar to what other carbohydrate rich grains like wheat roti and bread provide. One small chapati or a slice of bread gives about 80-90 calories. And no, rice does not lead to over eating. Rice is a tasty food but portion control for it is just about as tough/easy as it is for any other food one likes. It takes the same amount of willpower as it takes to stop reaching out for one more parantha. And yes it is an easily digestible food as it does not tax the intestines too much. Plus to increase its satiety value, one can simply pair it up with high fibre and high protein foods.
Here’s one of my go-to rice recipes that is sure to be your favourite too.
Nutty Rice Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
1 yellow bell pepper (small)
1 red bell pepper (small)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 ½ tsp garlic, chopped
Salt and crushed black pepper as per taste
150 gm Best Foods Basmati rice (Boiled)
4 tbsp spring onion (sliced)
50 gm raisins
50 gm cashew nut (broken)
1 tsp parsley, chopped
Method:
1. Deseed the bell peppers, cut them into small dices and keep aside.
2. To prepare dressing, in a bowl mix together olive oil, red wine vinegar, chopped garlic, salt and crushed black pepper and whisk it well to a smooth consistency.
3. In another bowl, mix boiled rice with diced bell peppers, sliced onion, raisins and cashew nuts.
4. Add dressing into it, toss well and check seasoning. Keep it in the refrigerator to cool.
5. In a serving bowl put the rice salad and sprinkle chopped parsley over it.
Recipe courtesy: Chef Davinder Kumar, Executive Chef Le Meridien & President Indian Culinary Forum (ICF)
Image courtesy: Shutterstock
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