Brown Rice with veggies. Sexier than you think.
That’s what I think after teaching a class on the Main Stage at The Del Mar Fairgrounds this past Saturday. After smelling the rice, people couldn’t wait to get their tastings. We eat with all our senses! You know that right?
YES CHEF!
And my leftovers went so fast, I hardly blinked and they were gone. I mean, a quarter of a pot of rice…. disappeared. So here we are once again, adding something more to your protein and salad that will give you both good fiber and good flavor. Cool?
COOL CHEF!
I like that you agree with me. Let’s me know you are the right reader!
So the audience at The Fairgrounds, and mind you this is the outside Pavilion….a stage that’s a kitchen created just for these shows, was asking for the recipe cause they really enjoyed this rice. I like this venue because we’re not ‘selling’ anything, except maybe my Cookbooks! lol
Several people came up at different times telling me they were coming back to see me next Thursday, 2pm when I am doing “There are lots of healthy foods. Which one’s are right for you“? And they are going to tell me if they were able re-create my rice. Well I say “Bravo”! You go girl!
This is a ‘cheat sheet’ for you, if you came to the Cooking Show.
Everyone knows how to make brown rice. But does everyone use short grain?
I DON’T KNOW CHEF!
I would say, probably not partly because some of the other choices are so aromatic. But short grain it is! Take some carrots. Buzz them in your food processor into small pieces. Cut up one sweet potato. Hand cut the pieces (check the picture in a couple of blogs ago). Yes. If you click on the word blogs, it will bring you right there, but do that after you’ve read this entire blog first!
GREAT CHEF!
Why thank you. Just looking to be as helpful as I can.
Continuing, those carrots can be lightly cooked, seasoned with salt, pepper and your key carrot ingredient: Cinnamon. (We talked about cinnamon being great to sprinkle to help with arthritis… and even something as simple as a sore throat. I suggest you use cinnamon to make a tea and soothe yourself).
And once again, I must repeat: Food is your best medicine. Don’t forget that…. especially making sure that if you’re ‘indulging’ you follow it with a salad or some fruit, to bring your body back to alkaline because? Say it with me….
DISEASE CAN’T GROW IN AN ALKALINE BODY, CHEF?
Boom. You got it! That makes me a happy girl! lol
So simple. And if you’re eating green and clean 80% of the time? You can enjoy an ocassional night out with the girls! (Or your guy). I would say a Monday thru Friday game plan puts you in the drivers’ seat for the rest of the weekend…. but that’s just me.
Back to the recipe. So, we’ve got the brown rice done. Did I tell you my secret ingredient? Cook the rice in both Organic Mushroom Broth and Organic Vegetarian Wild Mushroom Gravy. Talk about flavor! It’s gooood.
Rice, Carrots, Sweet potato (pan sautéed in GrapeSeed Oil). Then we’re going to create a mirepoix. You remember: Onion, Carrots and Celery? (Cut or buzz them in the food processor all the same size). It’s a little jazzed up with the Cinnamon in the Carrots, but hey! We’re haven’ fun right?
RIGHT CHEF! YOU BET!
Yeah. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Painters paint on canvas. Let’s use the kitchen to paint our masterpiece! lol
Ok. Ok. So you have your main ingredients. At the end, you can add florets of broccoli cut up (less is more when it comes to cooking broccoli). You can actually go into the fridge and see what other veggies are available. Tonight I did the same dish and ended it with Swiss Chard. Create my friend!
OK CHEF! ANYTHING ELSE CHEF?
Yes. Give yourself a squirt or two of toasted sesame oil (to taste). Toasted Sesame Oil provides essential fatty acids for healthy blood, arteries and nerves. It keeps skin from drying out and regulates your blood pressure. So that’s another ‘good and good for ya”!
Top your dish with some fresh parsley last minute and you’re done!
Make a batch and keep it in the fridge. Use a half cup per person at two meals a day if you like, and enjoy! And don’t forget, I’m back on stage at in the outdoor Pavilion at The Del Mar Fairgrounds Thursday, the 19th, Thursday the 26th and Tuesday July 1st. On the 1st, Vegan Expert Tracy Childs and I are doing a Vegan Lasagna Cookoff! So you don’t want to miss that one!
Happy Eating,
Chef Marian