By Lisa M. Pressey
Do you ever wonder how to use up your leftover rice? Maybe you’re looking to eat more plant-based for your health. Either way this rice bowl with vegetables is one way to utilize some leftover rice. This recipe is only one of probably a hundred ways you can add rice to a meal.
In the effort to become more plant-based sometimes you have to be creative. Think out of the box if you will. In a Western diet rice is primarily used to prepare a dinner meal. Perhaps one might eat it for lunch as leftovers. Although, it’s not traditionally eaten for breakfast, rice can be eaten any time of the day.
Benefits of Rice
Most people steer clear of rice because they believe it’s bad for them. They are told not to eat rice if you’re trying to lose weight or if you’re a diabetic. What they don’t inform you of is the benefits of rice. Brown rice can help control your blood sugar, lower cholesterol, keep free radicals from damaging our cells, and it promotes digestive health. Brown, black and purple rice are all beneficial to your health.
I generally use brown rice, wild rice and rice blends which tend to be higher in fiber, as they are not striped of the bran layer. One of my favorite brands is Lundberg Farms.
- Rice is unrefined
- Whole grain
- Low in calories
- High in fiber
- No sugar
- Gluten free
- Vegan
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1/2 small onion, red or white
- 1 small purple potato
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup GF DF shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup broccoli sprouts (any sprout will do)
TIP: Soaking the potatoes in cold water removes the starch. If I am in a pinch for time, I fill a measuring cup with the potatoes and water, swirl it around, rinse, and repeat, 3 times.
DIRECTIONS
- If you don’t have any leftover rice that’s okay. Just whip some up.
- Prepare your vegetables. Dice the vegetables, and remove the stems from the spinach. Once you cut up the potatoes, soak them in cold water for 5 minutes.
- Heat a pan over medium heat with a little oil, then put in the potato and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add the onion, then cook another 5 minutes. Put in the tomato and rice, cook for 2 minutes or until rice is heated.
- Once everything is warm, add the spinach and cook for 2 minutes. Add the cheese and let it melt.
- Put a portion in a bowl and top with sprouts.