Pasta and bread may be the lifeblood of Western cooking, but in Asian cuisine, rice is the staple ingredient. Not only is it a great accompaniment, it’s also a very versatile ingredient that can be used to create both sweet and savoury dishes.
Here, we explore 3 common rice types, along with some rice recipes used in Western, Asian, or even in fusion dishes.
1. Glutinous Rice
Glutinous rice gets its name from its sticky, glue-like consistency when cooked—not because it has any gluten in it. This type of opaque rice is grown in both Southeast Asia and East Asia and is a staple ingredient in both Laotian and Thai cuisine.
2. Brown Rice
Brown rice is the whole grain, unprocessed alternative to white rice, and has steadily gained popularity because of its health benefits. It’s perfect for weight loss because it leaves you feeling full even after just a small portion, and it’s rich in manganese, which helps the body synthesise fats. Brown rice is chewy, mild and can be prepared in the same way as white rice but may need a longer cooking time.
3. White Rice
The ever-popular white rice is milled rice that has its husk, bran and germ removed, which allows for a longer shelf life. Its shiny white colour is a result of polishing and milling. In terms of flavour profile and consistency, white rice is soft, chewy, and tasteless on its own, which make it very conducive for absorbing flavours when cooked with various other ingredients.
Get started with these tasty rice recipes!
Now that you know about the 3 most common rice types, try using them in the recipe ideas below.
Kimchi Fried Rice
Combine the Korean kimchi with your favourite meat and vegetables to add beautiful sour and spicy flavours to your rice. Top with cheese and bake it for a delightful, gooey twist!
Hainanese Chicken Rice
Singaporean chicken rice makes use of traditional Hainanese techniques which involve poaching the chicken, then extracting the drippings to create an oily, flavourful rice. The dish is then served with a dark soy sauce and ground ginger.
Yuzu-glazed Salmon with Knorr Cream Soup Brown Rice Risotto
This fusion dish is our healthy take on the well-loved risotto dish. Add the Asian flavours of yuzu to succulent salmon and pair it with a creamy brown rice risotto to create this epic recipe!
