Who doesn’t love rice? Enjoyed by more than half the world’s population, it is eaten as both a side dish and as main course in many daily meals. Rice has nutritional benefits in both the white and brown form, but brown rice has significantly more health benefits given its fiber and nutrient rich makeup. Brown rice has a very low glycemic index which means it won’t cause a spike in blood sugar after eating. This also means it can lower your risk of diabetes. With its high levels of fiber, it’s good for your heart and did we mention its good for your oral health too?
As much as we love rice for its light flavor, health benefits and relatively inexpensive profile, it can get bland and a little boring in its plain form if you’re eating it regularly. So, we have a great recipe that will liven up your rice plate which touches of sweet, salty, and even some tanginess. This recipe also has pineapple, coconut and cashews which are great for our overall and oral health.
Our ingredient list calls for long-grain rice so it’s up to you if you use brown or white rice. It’s worth noting that if you do opt for brown rice, cooking time will be significantly longer than with white rice and will require more water during the cooking process. Let’s get started with our ingredients and this easy and tasty recipe.
Low-Sugar Coconut, Pineapple and Cashew Rice Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups of long grain rice (Brown or White), rinsed
- 1 20 oz can crushed pineapple
- 1 13.5 oz can unsweetened coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons of Unsweetened Coconut Flakes (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Garnish
- 2-3 tablespoons of lime juice (Optional)
- ½ cup roasted cashews
- ¼- ½ cup of chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
1. Drain pineapple juice from pineapple and put into measuring cup. Add coconut milk and any needed water for 3 cups of liquid. Add an extra ½ cup of water if using brown rice.
2. Add liquids to non-stick pan and bring to a simmer. Add all remaining ingredients to pan except the garnishes. Bring mixture to a boil then cover and simmer for 20 minutes. You may need up to 45-60 minutes if using brown rice. You may also need to add additional water so check often if using brown rice.
3. When rice is tender, or soft to the bite, remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
4. When ready to serve, add all ingredients from garnishes. Add additional lime juice, salt and pepper to taste if desired. Make as pretty as you like, then mix everything together.
5. That’s it! Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 5 days.
View more smile and tooth friendly recipes to liven up your family’s dinner table.
