THE NIBBLE Gourmet News & Views
Trends, Products & Items Of Note In The World Of Specialty Foods
Read all of our content on TheNibble.com, the online magazine about specialty food.
Archive for Rice/Beans/Grains
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November 25, 2007 at 10:58 am
· Filed under Gourmet News, NutriNibbles, Rice/Beans/Grains
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| McCormick came out with black food coloring this fall (it did not previously exist at the consumer level, so now you can ice chic [or goth] cupcakes to your heart’s content). Based on a food trend reported by Florida’s Sun Sentinel, McCormick may be an American trendsetter. Ebony-colored foods are red-hot in Japan and other parts of Asia, and the trend may be headed west. Black foods have been eaten for hundreds of years in Japan for their rich taste (deeper-colored foods generally have more profound flavors). But now, people are buying them for their nutritional value. |
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Black rice, also known as “forbidden” rice (see our Rice Glossary for more information).
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The black-food fervor in Japan began a few years ago with a cocoa drink spiked with black soybeans. Next, a black-soybean tea was granted FOSHU status (foods for specified health use), the Japanese equivalent of an FDA-approved health claim. Black vinegar drinks are promoted as tonics to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Black soybean coffee and black soy milk have become popular. On the food side, there are black rice, black sesame biscuits and cereal, and black soybean coffee. If you want to jump the trend, the Sun Sentinel suggests:
- Black Beans. The familiar black bean contains more antioxidants (including anthocyanins) than any other bean. Add them to chili, soups and salads. Read more in our Bean Glossary.
- Black Rice. This whole-grain rice contains more fiber and nutrients compared to white rice. Some varieties look purple when cooked (see the photo above). We love making Thai rice pudding with black rice and coconut milk. Read more in our Rice Glossary.
- Black Soybeans. High in protein, fiber and anthocyanins, black soybeans may be better at lowering cholesterol levels than yellow soybeans, according to Japanese researchers.
- Black Vinegar. A dark vinegar typically made from brown rice, it’s an Asian version of balsamic, aged to give it a woodsy and smoky flavor. Find it Asian markets. Read more in our Vinegar Glossary.
- Blackberries. The purplish-black berries have among the highest antioxidants of any fruit.
- Nigella Seeds. Also called black onion seeds, these tiny jet-black seeds are staples in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. They have a nutty, peppery flavor and are used as a seasoning for vegetables, beans and bread (including naan). Find them in ethnic markets.
- Black Mushrooms. Aromatic and rich in flavor, black mushrooms include shiitake, wood ear and black trumpet. Dried versions are easily found in Asian markets. Read more in our Mushroom Glossary.
Perhaps you’ll be inspired to whip up a New Year’s Eve dinner with black foods in every course, to celebrate a healthy new year. |
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November 14, 2007 at 9:06 am
· Filed under Rice/Beans/Grains, The Nibble
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Slender pouches microwave to fluffy rice dishes. |
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Looking for a great side dish or vegetarian meal that’s ready in 90 seconds? Baji’s Rice Meals are a wonderful addition to the pantry shelf: an uber-convenient line of five international flavors of basmati rice. The pouch goes into the microwave, and Jambalaya, Lemongrass and Basil, Lentil Rice Biryani, Nasi Goreng or Paella emerges (rice and vegetables only—add your own meat, poultry or seafood). The dishes are highly seasoned. They can be enjoyed with everyday grilled meat, poultry or seafood, or incorporated into a more complex jambalaya, paella or Indian dish. The line is all natural, trans fat free, cholesterol free, wheat free, gluten free and preservative free. A 9-ounce box is $2.99 and makes two adult pportions. The line is sold at fine retailers and on Amazon.com. A portion of the company’s profits helps disadvantaged children throughout the third world. Read our full review of Baji’s Rice Meals. |
| If you like crunchy snacks, read our review of Baji’s flavored papadums, which we reviewed earlier this year. Read about more global foods in our International Products Section. |
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October 16, 2007 at 4:40 pm
· Filed under Kitchenware, Rice/Beans/Grains
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| Many of us have been there—we’ve cooked rice to what we think is the perfect timing, only to find it burned and stuck to the bottom of the pot. To sidestep future rice crises, check out our Rice Cooking Chart. While you’re there, scroll down the page for a delicious Basmati Rice Salad recipe.A cooking tip: Make sure that the lid fits tightly on the pot. Steam that escapes will use up the heat needed to cook the rice, and potentially cause burned rice as you try to get it to the desired tenderness after all the water has evaporated. Another tip: Buy yourself a rice cooker; or if you don’t have space for a pot dedicated to rice, get a multipurpose pot that is great for rice. Kohl’s has a new line of hard-anodized aluminum cookware, developed in partnership with The Food Network, that heats evenly to avoid overcooking and burning. |
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A beautiful, effective and affordable new cookware from Kohl’s and the Food Network. |
| The pots and pans are lined with DuPont professional nonstick coating, which is metal-utensil safe and easy to clean. Tight-fitting tempered glass lids allow constant monitoring of the works-in-progress, without heat loss. Rice will never burn again! We’re clearing out our user-unfriendly pots and pans and getting a set of these. You can buy them online at Kohls.com (the 11 pieces shown in the photo are $299.99, but you can buy just the 1-quart Covered Saucepan, shown at the rear with the built-in strainer, for $39.99). While you’re there, take a look at all of the other nifty items in the new Food Network line. We want so many pieces, we needed a second page for our list. |
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October 10, 2007 at 3:30 pm
· Filed under Diet Nibbles, Rice/Beans/Grains
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| St. Dalfour, the French company best-known for its sugar-free preserves, has come up with something quite clever: microwavable “ready to eat” mini-meals for people on-the-go. Given all the bad food we eat on the road (or late nights at the office, or at school) because healthy alternatives aren’t available, Gourmet On The Go is a welcome solution (in fact, at least one major airline is selling them to passengers). The best flavors are Couscous, Three Beans With Sweet Corn and Wild Salmon With Vegetables. The 6.2-ounce can is a satisfying portion, and for $3.95 it should be. The elegant can comes with a well-designed spork (a spoon-fork) that makes you feel as if you’re doing better than eating out of a can. The line is all natural and preservative free. Four of the six flavors are vegetarian, and two are gluten free for those on restricted diets. Read more about St. Dalfour Gourmet On The Go. |
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Peel back the lid, and a tasty repast awaits. |
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