Comments on: 8 Rice Alternatives

By: Mandy Sue

Mandy Sue — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:21:36 +0000

FYI, couscous isn’t actually a grain, it’s a pasta. I find it particularly tasty cooked/rehydrated in a vegetable or chicken broth. A nice twist my mom likes to use is mixing plain couscous (not broth-flavored) with mint, slivered almonds, and halved grapes. Very interesting, indeed.

Shawn, I’m surprised you’ve had little success with quinoa at home! I use it because its a protein and fiber-rich whole grain without the prolonged cooking time of brown rice. My only thought is to make sure you rinse it VERY thoroughly before cooking – the tiny grains have a nasty-tasting natural coating, probably to discourage hungry critters (like us) who want to eat the seeds before they can germinate.

By: cindys

cindys — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:39:32 +0000

I have never had Farro or polenta. I have had grits cooked in some very different ways. I am not that fond of them. I love Couscous especially with olive oil and garlic.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:29:50 +0000

We’ve had couscous, quinoa, polenta of course and grits. I don’t find that grits or polenta are a rice alternative because they are used differently in dishes. They are both good though, especially polenta. Couscous is much finer than rice but a good alternative. Quinoa I’ve had once in a restaurant and it was great, but when cooking it at home I haven’t had much luck. One alternative not listed above which is great and more “rice like” is Farro. I highly recommend it, but do not over cook it. It should be slightly chewy, not mushy.

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 03:18:16 +0000

I haven’t tried any of those (except the barley in Campbell’s soup). I’ll have to give some of them a try.

By: cindys

cindys — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:21:02 +0000

Guinness, I am sure that it is very rough on those people and I have a feeling it’s going to get a bit rougher on all of us. I would expect rising prices rather than shortages though and that is bad enough.

By: guinness416

guinness416 — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:13:06 +0000

It’s pretty rough on those who use rice as a staple food. I see a lot of worried and upset people at our local Bangladeshi groceries.

By: Roman

Roman — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:24:55 +0000

Kasha is the best! I prefer it over rice. But i kinda grew up on it. Try it will some milk and a pinch of sugar a great healthy snack.

By: cindys

cindys — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:42:24 +0000

JW, you are right and I have found some of my favorite foods by looking for alternatives. I don’t think I am nearly ready to start eating zoo animals though.

By: Jungleswife

Jungleswife — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:54:56 +0000

It’s a good thing to be willing to try alternatives. Healthier to eat a variety, too. I read that during a famine in France – maybe in the 1800′s – they ate all of the animals in the zoo and barely touched a warehouse full of rice.