All posts by Courtney Mercier

Food Pantry Ingredients

Quick Oats

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Quick oats are oats that have been broken down into smaller pieces, so they cook faster. Oatmeal is a versatile dish that can be served hot or cold. It is great in the morning and pairs well with a variety of toppings. Oatmeal is high in fiber which is great for heart health and can keep you full until lunchtime. 

Alternative names: Avena rapido, Porridge, Hot cereal

How to cook on the stove: 

  1. In a pot, add milk or water. Use a 2-to-1 liquid to oatmeal ratio. This means for every 1 cup of uncooked oats you want to make, you add 2 cups of liquid. Add a pinch of salt if desired. 
  2. Bring water or milk to a boil 
  3. Once it reaches a boil, add oats, reduce to medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
  4. After 5 minutes, most of the liquid has been absorbed into the oats. Turn off the heat and then it is ready to serve!

Visual learner? Use this video to help:

How to cook in the microwave:

  1. In a microwave-safe bowl, add milk or water. Use a 2-to-1 liquid to oatmeal ratio. This means for every 1 cup of uncooked oats you want to make, you add 2 cups of liquid. (You may only be able to make ½ cup of oats at a time in the microwave). Add a pinch of salt if desired. Stir ingredients together. 
  2. Microwave on high for 2.5-3 minutes. The bowl may be very hot when oatmeal is done cooking. When bowl has cooled, stir oats, and then it is ready to serve!

Visual learner? Use this video to help:

How to cook quick oats in a rice cooker:

  1. In the rice cooker, add milk/water and oatmeal. Use a 1.75-to-1 liquid to oatmeal ratio. This means for every 1 cup of uncooked oats you want to make, you add 1¾ cups of liquid. Add a pinch of salt if desired. 
  2. Cover rice cooker and turn on. When rice cooker beeps, the oats are done!

How to make basic overnight oats:

  • ½ cup oats
  • ½ cup milk of choice 
  • ¼ cup yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon sweetener of choice if using plain yogurt (honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup are great options)
  1. Combine all ingredients in a jar and cover with a lid
  2. Put in refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight. Eat cold when ready!

Tip: This recipe is very customizable! You can add toppings before or after refrigeration.  

Tip: Make these up to 3 days in advance for an easy, grab and go breakfast

Recipes:

6 ways to customize your overnight oats (vegan options if using non-dairy milk and yogurt)

Oatmeal doesn’t always have to be sweet! This savory oatmeal recipe is a great start to the day

If you have a sweet tooth, try this maple brown sugar oatmeal

Food Pantry Ingredients

Jasmine Rice

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Jasmine rice is a softer rice with a lovely fragrance. Jasmine rice is used in South East Asian cooking and is great with stir-fries, soups, or alone as a side dish.

Alternative names: Arroz jazmín

How to cook

  1. Put rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear
  2. In a pot, add rice and water. Use a 1.25-to-1 water to rice ratio. This means for every 1 cup of uncooked rice you want to make, you add 1¼ cups of water. Add a pinch of salt if desired. 
  3. Cover with lid and cook rice on medium-high heat and bring to a boil
  4. Once it reaches a boil, reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 18  minutes. Do not open the lid to check on the rice as this affects the cooking process. 
  5. Turn off heat, and then it is ready to serve!

Visual learner? Use this video to help:

Recipes:

This coconut rice is a refreshing side dish (vegan)

Spice things up with this fried rice with shrimp (dairy free)

This shrimp stir-fry pairs well with Jasmine rice (dairy free)

This vegetable sitr-fry can be easily customized with vegetables you have on hand (chicken-broth can be substituted with vegetarian broth to make this dish vegan)

Food Pantry Ingredients

Basmati Rice

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Basmati rice is a long-grain rice that is most commonly used in South Asia. This rice has a nutty flavor and firm texture. Basmati rice is most commonly served with curries, pilaf, and biryani. It also makes a great side dish when flavored with spices such as turmeric. 

Alternative names: Arroz basmati

How to cook: 

  1. Put rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear
  2. In a pot, add rice and water. Use a 2-to-1 water to rice ratio. This means for every 1 cup of uncooked rice you want to make, you add 2 cups of water. Add a pinch of salt and/ or a tablespoon of butter if desired. 
  3. Cook rice on medium-high heat and bring to a boil
  4. Once it reaches a boil, reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 12 minutes. Do not open the lid to check on the rice as this affects the cooking process. 
  5. Turn off heat and let the rice sit for 10 minutes, and then it is ready to serve!

Visual learner? Use this video to help:

Recipes:

Try this turmeric basmati rice for a flavorful side-dish

This Murgh Kari pairs well with basmati rice

Try this vegetable curry to serve with basmati rice

Food Pantry Ingredients

Brown Long Grain Rice

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Brown rice has a dry texture and nutty flavor when cooked. This makes it an excellent companion to many dishes. Brown rice is higher in B vitamins and fiber when compared to white rice.

Alternative names: Arroz integral

How to cook:

  1. Put rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear
  2. In a pot, add rice and water. Use a 1.75-to-1 water to rice ratio. This means for every 1 cup of uncooked rice you want to make, you add 1¾ cups of water. Add a pinch salt if desired. 
  3. Cook rice on medium-high heat and bring to a boil
  4. Once it reaches a boil, reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 45 minutes. If there is still a lot of liquid after 45 minutes, go ahead and cook for another 5 minutes. 
  5. Turn off heat and let the rice sit for 10 minutes, and then it is ready to serve!

Tip: for more flavor, use broth instead of water.

Visual learner? Use this video to help:

Recipes:

This one-pot burrito bowl is a delicious, filling meal that doesn’t use many dishes (vegetarian and vegan options)

Try this toasted brown rice with mushrooms for a lovely side-dish

Have leftover brown rice? Try this Greek-inspired turkey casserole

This Spanish rice and beans recipe will make a great side dish for taco night (vegan)

Food Pantry Ingredients

White Long-Grain Rice

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White long-grain rice has a dry, fluffy texture when cooked. It’s the perfect rice for bibimbap, pilafs, salads or even alone as a side dish. 

Alternative names: Arroz blanco

How to cook:

  1. Put rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear
  2. In a pot, add rice and water. Use a 2-to-1 water to rice ratio. This means for every 1 cup of uncooked rice you want to make, you add 2 cups of water. Add a pinch of salt if desired. 
  3. Cook rice on medium-high heat and bring to a boil
  4. Once it reaches a boil, reduce heat to low, cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 20 minutes. If there is still a lot of liquid after 20 minutes, go ahead and cook for another 5 minutes. 
  5. Turn off heat and let the rice sit for 10 minutes, and then it is ready to serve

Tip: for more flavor, use broth instead of water.


Visual learner? Use this video to help:

Recipes: 

This garlic-butter rice is a great side dish

Have leftover cooked rice? Make this fried rice recipe (vegetarian)

These one-pot burrito bowls make a great meal without all the dishes