Recipes with Jasmine Rice

Jasmine rice is a perfumed-grain rice that grows in Thailand. It is somewhat similar to Basmati rice served in India. It has a similar fragrance to popcorn, but tastes like nuts. This rice is used to make stir-fries, salads, pilaf, as stuffing, and desserts as well.

To cook the rice, all you have to do is rinse it a few times with cold water. This will remove extra starch present in the rice. In Asian cooking, this rice is very popular as it's a bit sticky. There are two different varieties available in this rice―brown and white. Many people get confused between the variations and think that jasmine and white rice two different types; in fact, the latter is another variety. When added with different ingredients, white rice doesn't overpower a dish. On the other hand, the brown rice becomes the dominant flavor in certain dishes.

In order to get perfectly-cooked rice, make sure that it absorbs the water properly. If there is any excess water in the pot/pan, it will make the rice soggy.

Ingredients

• Chicken stock, 3 cups
• Jasmine rice, rinsed, 2 cups
• Bean sprouts, 1 cup
• Peanut oil, 3 tablespoons
• Olive oil, 3 tablespoons
• Cilantro, chopped, 3 tablespoons
• Scallions, 2 bunches
• Red jalapeños, seeded and diced, 2
• Salt and black pepper, for taste

Procedure
Take a large pan and pour peanut oil in it. Add the rinsed rice and toast it till you get a nutty fragrance; this will take a couple of minutes. Now pour the chicken stock in and boil the rice. Turn the heat to low, place a cover on top, and let the rice simmer; this will take about 18 minutes or so, till the rice has absorbed the stock. Turn the heat off and let the rice sit for about 10 minutes before you take the cover off.

Meanwhile, take a large bowl to combine scallions, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in. Toss lightly and place the whole scallions over a grill. Char the scallions for about a minute on each side and then chop them roughly. Open the rice to fold the scallions in along with bean sprouts, cilantro, and jalapeños. Combine everything properly and serve the rice with a salad or grilled chicken.

Ingredients

• Snow peas, blanched and shocked, ½ lb.
• Water, 5 cups
• Jasmine rice, rinsed, 2 cups
• Parsley, chopped, ¼ cup
• Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
• Ginger, minced, 1 teaspoon
• Cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon
• Cilantro powder, ½ teaspoon
• Large carrot, julienne, 1
• Garlic clove, chopped, 2
• Large onion, chopped, 1
• Nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon
• Salt and black pepper, for taste

Procedure
Take a large pan and saute the onion till it turns translucent. Next, mix garlic, cumin, nutmeg, coriander, and minced ginger in it. Cook for a minute and add the rice to the pan. Fold the rice properly so that the oil and spices can coat it evenly. Pour water, salt, and black pepper in the pan, and boil for couple of minutes. Reduce the heat to low, place a cover on top, and cook the rice for about 15―18 minutes. Once the rice is cooked, take the pan off the heat and fluff the rice with a fork. Add the peas, carrots, and parsley in, and fold properly. Serve the rice hot.

Ingredients

• Green peppers, seeded, cut in half, 4
• Ground beef, 1 lb.
• Brown jasmine rice, rinsed, 2½ cups
• Ketchup or pizza sauce, ¾ cup
• Vinegar, 1 tablespoon
• Mustard, 1 teaspoon
• Onion, chopped, 1
• Salt and black pepper, for taste

Procedure
Preheat the oven at 350ºF. In a baking pan, arrange the seeded green peppers on it. Cook the rice in water (as mentioned above) for about 18 minutes, or till the water is completely absorbed. Take a large bowl to saute the onion till it turns translucent. Add ground beef and cook it properly. Once ready, mix in the ketchup or pizza sauce, mustard, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. With a spoon, fill the green peppers evenly. Place the baking pan into the oven, and bake for 10―15 minutes. You can also drizzle some cheese on top of the green peppers, and serve it hot.

1 cup of cooked jasmine rice is approximately 205 calories. With healthy amounts of proteins, fibers, iron, and carbohydrates present in the rice, you can't go wrong with eating it on a regular basis.