Simple Rice

When eating a healthy, whole diet, it is important to also include whole grains. I have found the simplest way to do this is to cook rice a couple of nights a week, being sure to make enough extra to keep in the refrigerator. And when it comes to the best rice to keep on hand, brown rice is the winner.

Because of its nutritional value, brown rice is the best option. Fewer nutrients are lost in the production of brown rice because only the hull, or outer layer of the rice is removed. High in manganese, a cup of brown rice provides 88% of the daily value of manganese. This important mineral helps with the production of energy from proteins and carbohydrates. Manganese also helps synthesize fatty acids which helps facilitate nervous system health.

Brown rice has also been found to fight colon cancer because it is a concentrated form of fiber and also contains the trace mineral selenium. The fiber reduces the length of time cancer-causing matter interacts with cells in the colon. And selenium has been shown to greatly decrease the chance of getting colon cancer.

The oil in brown rice lowers cholesterol and the magnesium content helps with the processing of glucose and insulin production, reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome or type two diabetes.

So many people panic when it comes to actually making rice. Believing it to be a complicated process, I have many acquaintances who either only use minute rice, or only eat it when they are at a Chinese restaurant. These options are quite costly when compared to making your own at home. Cooking your own brown rice is quite simple and not nearly as complicated as you might think.

I've developed my own recipe for making perfect, fluffy, well seasoned brown rice. It is quite tasty and is something you can make while doing other household chores.

The ratio of rice to water is always 1:2. One cup of rice to two cups of water.

• Place the proper amount of water in a sauce pan. I usually make my rice two cups at a time so that there is enough to keep in the refrigerator to add to soups and wraps.
• Add your favorite seasonings to the water. I like to add salt, pepper and chili powder or garlic powder.
• Bring the water to a boil.
• Add the proper amount of rice.
• Stir the rice to evenly disperse it throughout the pan.
• Turn the heat down to simmer.
• Cover the rice and walk away. Do not keep lifting the lid to check on the rice!
• Depending on how shallow the water is in the pan, it will take anywhere from 25 to 35 minutes for the rice to cook completely.
• Remove the lid and check the water content. Sometimes keeping the rice uncovered as it finishes cooking the last bit of water is the best way to keep it from over cooking.
• Fluff the rice with a fork when finished.
• Eat it right away, put some in the fridge, or freeze it for another day.