How do you dress up your brown rice?

clf1284
clf1284 Posts: 44 Member
edited November 10 in Recipes
I'm adding new foods to my menus to try and shake this plateau I'm stuck on. One of my additions will be brown rice. But normally I add tons of butter and salt to season my rice. Obviously a bad choice. So I was looking for suggestions on how you season yours without adding tons of calories!
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Replies

  • MaryCS62
    MaryCS62 Posts: 266 Member
    Herb ox makes bouillon (sp?) packets that are "sodium free" - 10 calories, but very flavorful. Mix in the water when you make your rice. If you like butter, use a dab (ie, tsp in a large quantity), butter buds (don't know the sodium on that) or butter flavored spray.
    Also -- garlic powder, onion powder, or spice of choice that complements the meal you are having it with.
  • tamekarobinson1978
    tamekarobinson1978 Posts: 2
    Brown rice can be really bland but I use chicken or beef broth with with onions & bell peppers and season it with salt and pepper. It's feeling and gives lots of flavor
  • WEBAyahoo2
    WEBAyahoo2 Posts: 11 Member
    edited January 2015
    I had the most amazing Fried Brown Rice experience this week.

    (I cook my brown rice the saveur.com recommended way with a KNORR Brand bouillon cube and a little sea salt) http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Perfect-Brown-Rice

    After cooking it the above recommended way, I added some extra lean ground beef, mixed vegetables, a scrambled egg, onion, sweet pepper and a little soy sauce. (I cooked that on medium heat until the vegetables/onions/peppers were cooked through, stirring with a two prong fork)

    It was very good. I must also mention that I used Uncle Bens Whole Grain Natural Brown Rice in the small box, which seemed to cook so much better than other brands I've tried.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    Earth Balance and pepper.
  • debrakgoogins
    debrakgoogins Posts: 2,033 Member
    Spices are your friend! I use a low sodium stock, usually vegetable or chicken in place of water when cooking. Depending on what I am serving it with, I will add parsley, minced onion, minced garlic, sea salt, pepper, oregano, dried spinach...anything that adds flavor. You can also make a great Spanish rice by adding a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, cumin and chili powder.
  • madeleineld
    madeleineld Posts: 75 Member
    Everyone else is making great suggestions, and I'm not sure if this is EXACTLY what you're asking, but I sometimes make what I think of as "sandwich bowls" with brown rice. One of my biggest cravings is big fat deli sandwiches on a gigantic white flour roll or wedge. So I try to recreate some of my favorite sandwiches by taking the ingredients and mixing them into a rice bowl instead of putting them on bread. So I'll do a chicken philly cheesesteak rice bowl where I mix grilled chicken, peppers, onions, and a slice of american cheese into some brown rice, or a chicken parm one with chicken and tomato sauce, etc etc.
  • clf1284
    clf1284 Posts: 44 Member
    These are all awesome suggestions! I'm a big sandwich fan so I'm definitely going to try a rice bowl!
  • xsix
    xsix Posts: 62 Member
    Veggie soup base is awesome, if you have an Asian Supermarket near you, you will be amazed at what you will find there.
  • ryanhorn
    ryanhorn Posts: 355 Member
    Have you looked into making curry? Great source of protein as well!
  • clf1284
    clf1284 Posts: 44 Member
    xsix wrote: »
    Veggie soup base is awesome, if you have an Asian Supermarket near you, you will be amazed at what you will find there.
    I live in a small town. My options are a small supermarket and Walmart. :\
  • clf1284
    clf1284 Posts: 44 Member
    ryanhorn wrote: »
    Have you looked into making curry? Great source of protein as well!

    I haven't. The thought has actually never crossed my mind. Hmm, I've definitely been in the mood to try new foods.
  • Burt_Huttz
    Burt_Huttz Posts: 1,612 Member
    fishnets and really trashy eye makeup.
    With love,
    Burt
  • Justin_7272
    Justin_7272 Posts: 341 Member
    clf1284 wrote: »
    xsix wrote: »
    Veggie soup base is awesome, if you have an Asian Supermarket near you, you will be amazed at what you will find there.
    I live in a small town. My options are a small supermarket and Walmart. :\

    Small towns don't have WalMarts - you are in luck! Sriracha, low sodium soy sauce, and water chestnuts are solid options. Broccoli and Parkay Spray are also good options. If you're a salt fiend like I look into NuSalt or other salt alternatives.
  • tuckerrj
    tuckerrj Posts: 1,453 Member
    Burt_Huttz wrote: »
    fishnets and really trashy eye makeup.
    With love,
    Burt

    I was thinking itsy-bitsy, teeny-tiny bow ties
  • Badger_Girl99
    Badger_Girl99 Posts: 2,220 Member
    If you don't mind spicy, a little chili oil or sriracha and diced green onion is pretty good
  • CamilleNoemi
    CamilleNoemi Posts: 28 Member
    I cook my rice in vegetable broth instead of water. And I like to add a bit of butter, salt, pepper and tomato paste.
  • walkonfire5
    walkonfire5 Posts: 648 Member
    soya sauce or chinese 5 spices
  • jmauerhan
    jmauerhan Posts: 82 Member
    Mrs. Dash (and the store brand equivalent) seasoning mixes. I have southwest, savory, onion & pepper... and they're all no salt added.

    We also use veggie broth or "soup starters".
  • Sinistrous
    Sinistrous Posts: 5,589 Member
    By leaving that mess at the store o.o
  • dieselbyte
    dieselbyte Posts: 733 Member
    Put brown rice in a bowl... push bowl to the side... order domino's o:)
  • belimawr
    belimawr Posts: 1,155 Member
    edited January 2015
    clf1284 wrote: »
    xsix wrote: »
    Veggie soup base is awesome, if you have an Asian Supermarket near you, you will be amazed at what you will find there.
    I live in a small town. My options are a small supermarket and Walmart. :\

    Why not make your own stock or base? I have a soup book with great recipes, but you can find instructions all over the net for beef, chicken and vegetable stocks. I do turkey stock as well. It just requires a bit of time, which you can use doing other things. Freeze large batches in small amounts for later, always comes in handy.
  • Karbum
    Karbum Posts: 124 Member
    dieselbyte wrote: »
    Put brown rice in a bowl... push bowl to the side... order domino's o:)

    :):):)
  • deecollins71
    deecollins71 Posts: 1
    I make 6 cups at a time and use for lunch all week. I sometimes throw in a can of Rotel or use Mrs dash or sazon. I also love to use 1 cup brown rice with 1/2 cup frozen broccoli florets with a dash of salt and dash of pepper
  • 970Mikaela1
    970Mikaela1 Posts: 2,013 Member
    Salsa. On everything that needs dressed up.
  • healthiermeep
    healthiermeep Posts: 76
    Peanut sauce yummy
  • belimawr
    belimawr Posts: 1,155 Member
    edited January 2015
    970Mikaela1 wrote: »
    Salsa. On everything that needs dressed up.

    Yep. Salsa is my fall-back on anything if I can't think of anything else. The hotter, the better.
  • Ajaxlost
    Ajaxlost Posts: 46 Member
    I mix mine with low sodium chopped canned tomatoes, grilled chicken and spinach. top w a little parm. I also make a bunch and freeze in single serve baggies. very handy.
  • fatsheet
    fatsheet Posts: 15 Member
    i have brown rice daily for dinner.

    once its cooked, i usually mix in 1/2 - 1 cup of zapped frozen veggies, add a dollop of sriracha, mix it up until it becomes a colourful mess, and then accompany that with some form of protein.
  • mmacpeek
    mmacpeek Posts: 5
    clf1284 wrote: »
    I'm adding new foods to my menus to try and shake this plateau I'm stuck on. One of my additions will be brown rice. But normally I add tons of butter and salt to season my rice. Obviously a bad choice. So I was looking for suggestions on how you season yours without adding tons of calories!

  • mmacpeek
    mmacpeek Posts: 5
    I love t add fresh cilantro and salsa... Delicious! I encourage you to switch to black rice, higher fiber and protein and to try farro... Kind of a light nutty taste which is great cold with a little balsamic and cucumbers and tomato. Those whole grains have a little more taste I find :)
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