Enjoy perfect rice every time—a great base for add-ins!
Do you have a favorite childhood memory involving rice? I loved homemade rice pudding with a bit of cinnamon. Now I wish my Mom had known about baked rice because she could have added apples from our orchard into it. That would’ve been tasty!
Rice is such an easy, inexpensive base for so many types of dishes. It’s easy to prepare it with veggies, fruit, cheese, fish, or meat. It can be a savory or sweet dish, and it can be different each time you prepare it. But if you’re like me, you don’t want to crowd your countertop with a rice cooker. I’m happy to report this baked rice recipe proves you don’t need one! The rice cooks up nice and fluffy without any goopy globs. As an added bonus, prepare it in an oven-safe serving dish so you can take it from the oven to the table with ease, possibly stopping on the way for add-ins such as mushrooms, or roasted brussels sprouts and asparagus.
Is Baked Rice Healthy?
Rice is a staple around the world due to its health attributes. It’s easy to add in all of the food groups, either prepared separately or together. Different oils can be substituted for the butter, including olive oil or plant-based butter. White rice is nutritionally valuable and especially good for folks who can’t digest the high-fiber brown rice well. Brown or other rice can be substituted, but the cooking time will need to be adjusted accordingly, as brown rice may take twice as long to bake. Jasmine rice has a slightly lower carb content than white. Basmati rice has a lower glycemic index, which is good for those watching sugar intake.
What Can I Add to Baked rice?
Now for the fun part. So. Many. Foods go well with rice. Experiment with your favorites, and think creatively! To start with fruits, mix some diced or sliced pineapple in toward the end of the cooking time. Cut apples into small chunks to cook directly with the rice. Cook some sliced apples with cinnamon separately and add them in after fluffing, or serve on top. Peaches or apricots will work, too. For veggies, add broccoli or asparagus, peas, cauliflower, corn, or others. You’re only limited by your preferences. Add cheeses of many varieties with the veggies—cube some cheddar, slice some Havarti, shred some parmesan, or sprinkle some feta. Seafood goes well with rice—try shrimp, salmon, or cod. Then, start mixing food groups together. Pineapple and asparagus with salmon. Or broccoli and cheddar and chicken.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 cups boiling water
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat
Set oven to 375°F.
Combine
Mix rice, butter, and salt in a dish.
Bake
Add boiling water, cover, and bake until tender.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Rice can be kept in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 6 months. Rice should be cooled quickly before storing so it doesn’t retain as much moisture, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. One method is to spread it out on a pan to cool before refrigeration.
To reheat, add a few tbsp of water, cover, and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring often, until heated through. Or stir in the water, add a tbsp or two of olive oil, and bake in a preheated oven at 350° for 15 minutes.
Plan for half a cup of cooked rice as a side dish per person or one cup for a main dish. One cup of uncooked rice makes three cups of cooked rice.
Any salt will work. One tsp of sea salt equals about 1 1/4 tsp of kosher salt
Serving Suggestions
So many foods go well in rice, but so many more are happy besides rice on your plate! Try Kale Salad with Salmon or a Grilled Beef Stir Fry.
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 cups boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a 2-quart or larger baking dish, combine the rice, butter, and salt.
- Carefully pour in the boiling water and stir until the butter is completely melted.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove from the oven and let it stand for 5 minutes, covered. Then, fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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