Uncle Ben's Winter Rice Recipes

Here are three recipes from Uncle Ben's that are child friendly, wholesome and which use rice in an unusual way. Why not give them a try?

Roasted Vegetable and Chicken Risotto

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients
Sunflower oil for roasting
1 Red Onion, chopped
1 Yellow Pepper, chopped
2 Medium Courgettes, sliced
350g diced Chicken Breast
250g pack Uncle Ben’s Express Mushroom Rice
handful freshly chopped Parsley
500g Jar Uncle Ben’s Szechuan Chilli Sauce
Ground Black Pepper

Method
1. Heat the oil in a shallow ovenproof roasting tray, in a pre-heated oven 190oC/375oF/Gas Mark 5 for 5 minutes
Add the onion, pepper, courgettes and chicken. Cook for 15 -20 minutes.
2. Tip the vegetables and chicken into a large saucepan. Stir in the mushroom rice, parsley and Uncle Ben’s Szechuan Chilli Sauce. Cook for 4-5minutes until piping hot. Season and serve.
3. Cook Uncle Ben’s Express Mushroom Rice as per instructions

Recipe Tips
1. Other Uncle Ben’s Express rice flavours, which would work well, are Uncle Ben’s Express Pilau or Vegetable Pilau Rice.
 2. For vegetarians omit the chicken, equally as delicious.

Cheesy Rice and Vegetable Parcels

Preparation Time 10 Minutes
Cooking Time 35 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients
250g Uncle Ben’s Wholegrain Rice, cooked
Bunch Spring Onions, Finely chopped
125g very small Broccoli Florets
1 yellow or orange pepper, finely chopped
2 Tomatoes, chopped
75g Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated
Salt and Ground Black Pepper

Method 
1. Mix Uncle Ben’s Wholegrain Rice, spring onions, broccoli, peppers and tomato together. Season with salt and black pepper.
2. Cut four large squares of baking parchment or foil(large enough to wrap the paper into a parcel)
Divide the rice mixture between the paper squares and wrap into a parcel.
3. Place on a baking tray, cook in a pre-heated oven 180oC/350oF/Gas Mark4 for 30-35 minutes.
4. Open the parcel and sprinkle with the cheese, cook for a further 5 minutes until the cheese has melted and browned.
  
Serve with a crunchy mixed salad

Recipe Tips
1. Red onions, green peppers or chopped fine beans can also be used.
2. Suitable for vegetarians 

Creamy Strawberry Layer

Serves 4
Preparation/Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
250g Uncle Ben’s Boil-in-Bag Basmati Rice
500ml full cream Milk
25g soft Light Brown Brown
good pinch Ground Nutmeg
250g Strawberries, sliced
250g Raspberries
25g desicated Coconut, toasted

Method
1. Cook the rice with the milk. Simmer gently until most of the milk has been absorbed and the rice is soft but not mushy.
2. Stir in the sugar and nutmeg. Fill the base of 4 glass sundae dishes with a little of the creamy warm rice. Top with sliced strawberries and raspberries. (Reserve a few for decoration).
3. Continue to layer the fruit and rice finishing with the rice. Sprinkle with the toasted coconut and the reserved fruit.

Recipe Tips
1. Frozen Fruits of the forest can also be used in place of strawberries and raspberries
2. Toasted mix nuts or almonds and pine nuts give a crunchy topping to this recipe.
3. Uncle Ben’s Long Grain rice can be used to replace the basmati.

Sticky Chilli Chicken with Mango Salad or Sweet & Sour Turkey
Leek and Mushroom Risotto and Special Egg Fried Rice