Instructions: When reading ingredient lists you are likely to come across several types of rice. A box might include white or brown; short, medium or long grain; basmati, jasmine, or arborio; enriched or parboiled. Some may also include wild rice, which is a type of grass and is actually a cousin to the rice family.

It is a common perception that brown rice is more nutritious than white rice. But theres actually very little nutritional difference between the two because most white rices have been "enriched." Brown rice does contain more fiber (3g versus 1g per one-cup serving) but is still not a significant source. It also offers slightly more minerals and is slightly higher in fat. Some flavored rice mixes use brown rice rather than white, but most are made with long-grain white rice that is enriched and/or parboiled.

Enriched rice has been soaked in a nutrient-rich liquid after the hull has been removed then dried. The nutrients coat the outside of the kernels, so dont rinse enriched rice before cooking or many of the nutrients will be washed away.

Parboiled rice has been soaked, steamed, and dried before the outer hull is removed. In this process the rice retains more of its nutrients. Rice that has been parboiled fluffs and separates once cooked and usually takes a little longer to cook than other white rice.

Basmati is a long-grain variety that has a lightly nutty flavor and aroma.

jasmine is also a long-grain rice that was originally cultivated in Thailand; it has a slightly sweet flavor and cooks up moist and tender.

Arborio is a plump, medium-grain rice grown in Italy and used almost exclusively for risottos.

You can use flavored rice mixes as a side dish or a main dish. To get you started, most packages include recipes and helpful hints for creating variations on the basic theme or making complete meals using the flavored rice as a base. Its also fairly easy and fun to experiment and devise your own dishes. Another nice benefit to the mixes is that they consistently cook up fluffy and are perfectly textured.

Whether you always have had trouble cooking rice, are interested in expanding your culinary tastes to encompass international cuisines, or simply want a quick and easy way to incorporate more rice into your diet without eating only plain brown or white, flavored rice mixes offer an attractive alternative. Just remember to read the packages carefully before you buy.

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