Today’s post is a guest post written by Amy Conner.
Stocking up on grains ensures that you’ll always have a reliable source of important nutrients. Whole grains can provide you with fiber, B vitamins, minerals such as zinc, iron, magnesium, as well as plenty of antioxidants.
Plus, grains are a cheap and versatile ingredient that you can use to create delicious dishes that you won’t get tired of. In this article, we’ll be sharing with you three cheap recipes you can try out when you want to incorporate grains into your diet.
Maki and Kimbap Rolls
Rice is one of the cheapest grains around, and it has a long shelf life. Maki and kimbap are some of the most popular rice dishes in Japan and Korea respectively, as they require simple ingredients and are quick and easy to make.
Both rice rolls are essentially made with seasoned cooked rice filled with ingredients of your choice, rolled out, and wrapped in nori seaweed. There are, however, some cultural differences regarding their seasonings and style.
Maki Sushi Rolls
100g rice
1 sheet nori seaweed
2 tbsp vinegar
Mayonnaise
Soy sauce
Optional: Wasabi
Possible fillings: Julienned sashimi-grade raw tuna or salmon, avocado, cucumber, crab sticks
1. In a bowl, incorporate vinegar into cooled-down cooked rice.
2. Lay down your bamboo mat and place a sheet of nori on top. Cover two-thirds with sushi rice approximately 1cm high.
3. Add your ingredients on top of the rice in a line across the center. You can choose any ingredients which you think would complement each other well. Crab sticks, cucumber, and mayonnaise are popular choices.
4. Start rolling up the ingredients away from you tightly using the rolling mat.
5. Cut into six to eight pieces and serve with soy sauce and wasabi.
Kimbap Rolls
100g rice
1 sheet nori seaweed
2 tbsp vinegar
Sugar and salt to taste
Possible fillings: Julienned carrots, scrambled eggs, fish cake, fried Spam, or meat
Sesame oil
Optional: Sesame seeds
1. In a bowl, incorporate vinegar, sesame oil, and seasonings into cooled-down cooked rice.
2. Lay down your bamboo mat and place a sheet of nori on top. Cover two-thirds with rice approximately 1cm high.
3. Add your ingredients on top of the rice in a line across the center. You can choose any ingredients which you think would complement each other well. Carrots, eggs, Spam, and other vegetables are a popular combination.
4. Using the rolling mat, start rolling up the ingredients away from you tightly.
5. Cut into six to eight pieces top with sesame seeds and more sesame oil.
Easy Risotto
Originating from Italy, risotto sounds like an intimidating dish — but that’s not actually the case! In fact, you can make delicious risotto on a stovetop or on a simple rice cooker.
Risotto bases are also quite simple, with ingredients you can already find at home. Risotto is such an adaptable dish, so you can get more creative and personalize your recipe.
100g rice
4 cups chicken stock
3 tbsp butter
1 medium shallot, chopped
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp Italian parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
STOVETOP
1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat and add chopped shallots. Saute until translucent.
2. Add rice to the pan and saute until slightly toasted.
3. Add in wine until fully absorbed.
4. Slowly ladle in chicken stock and stir once in a while until absorbed. Continue for about 20 minutes.
5. Add in parmesan cheese and season to taste.
RICE COOKER
1. Combine all the ingredients and seasonings in the cooker, cover with the lid, and leave it to cook.
2. Mix every five minutes for about 20 minutes, or until the cooker flips to ‘warm’.
3. Serve in bowls and top with parsley.
One-Pan Paella
If you have a little more time, treat yourself to a one-pan paella. Paella was originally farm laborer’s food, it was often cooked over a woodfire for a lunchtime meal; that’s how you’re sure it’s incredibly filling.
You’ll be faced with steaming, deliciously sticky rice, with crunchier bits at the bottom of the skillet. There are lots of paella recipes available on the internet, so you’re sure to find a combination of ingredients that will suit your taste.
Paella is also a great way to cook a budget-friendly but delicious meal to feed a larger group of people.
1 1/2 cups short-grain rice
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 medium zucchini sliced into half-moons
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
1/2 small yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 cup peas
5 oz. baby spinach
3 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Parsley, lemon wedges for garnish
1. Pre-heat oven to 425°F.
2. In a deep cast-iron or oven-safe skillet, saute zucchini, onions, and mushrooms in olive oil until tender.
3. Add in garlic, tomatoes, spinach, peas, and rice. Add broth slowly and stir often. Season with paprika and salt and pepper to taste.
4. Bring to a boil, and transfer to the oven. Bake uncovered for 20-22 minutes, or until liquid is fully absorbed.
5. For a crisp bottom, transfer back to the stovetop for 2-3 minutes. Top with parsley and lemon wedges.
If you’re planning on stocking up on grains on your next grocery run, try out these three mouthwatering recipes for yourself.
