The best rice dishes in the world you must taste

Rice is one of the world’s most popular foods. This cereal was so important throughout history that it was even used as a form of payment currency in feudal Japan (the koku was the amount needed to feed a person for a year). Another example is the tradition of rice throwing at weddings, which originated in China, where rice is a symbol of prosperity and abundance.

The varieties (there are over 40 thousand varieties of rice) and methods of preparation that can make it loose, brothy, or glutinous explain its popularity. Rice is also extremely versatile, serving as a classic accompaniment, a delectable main dish, and even as a dessert.

Biryani

Biryani is one of India’s most traditional dishes, and its origins are still unknown. Biryani is traditionally made with Basmati rice, meats (usually chicken or lamb), and spices such as black pepper, cumin, saffron, cardamom, mint, ginger, nutmeg, and bay leaf.

Potatoes, nuts, dried fruits, rose water, and yogurt can also be used, depending on the region. Biryani is widely consumed at weddings and on Eid (the last day of Ramadan) and has two traditional preparation methods known as Kacchi and Pakki.

Galinhada

Galinhada is one of Brazil’s most well-known comfort foods. Rice, chicken, and spices (parsley, green onions, turmeric, cumin) are the main ingredients of this perfect Sunday lunch, with regional variations.

The most important aspect of the Galinhada recipe is to cook the rice alongside the chicken. It’s delicious and simple to prepare; after all, you only need to wash one pan.

Paella

Paella is without a doubt one of the most popular rice dishes in the Western world. Although seafood is commonly used in paellas, it is not part of the original recipe (Paella Valenciana), which calls for bomba rice, chicken, rabbit meat, snails, tomatoes, saffron, rosemary, garrofón (a type of large white bean), and ferradura (similar to green bean). Paella Marinera refers to seafood paella.

The name paella originally referred to the pan used to make the recipe, which was large, round, and had handles.

Pilaf

Pilaf is a Middle Eastern term that refers to a method of cooking rice (or other cereals such as quinoa and amaranth) that results in very loose grains. Before adding the vegetable broth, the rice is sautéed with oil or ghee butter, onion, and various spices (eg: cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, star anise). This makes the rice aromatic and tasty.

Arroz de Polvo

Arroz de Polvo (octopus rice) is a popular rice dish in Portugal. The dish is made with Carolino rice (long grain), which is commonly used in “malandrinhos” preparations, a Portuguese term for more brothy dishes.

Rice is cooked in the same broth as the octopus in this recipe, which ensures more flavor. It also requires olive oil, tomatoes, white wine, and a variety of spices including onions, garlic, bay leaves, black pepper, and coriander.

Arroz Al Horno

In addition to the traditional Paella, Arroz Al Horno is a popular dish in Valencia. In this recipe, the rice is sautéed first, then chicken broth is added, and the dish is finished in the oven in a round clay pot or ceramic dish.

Arroz al Horno is made with short grain bomba rice, pork (ribs and bacon), Spanish blood sausage, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, saffron, paprika, and chickpeas.

Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng, which translates to “fried rice,” is one of Indonesia’s most popular dishes. The rice is tossed in the sweet Kecap Manis sauce, which is made from soy sauce, sugar, pepper, ginger, kaffir lime leaves, and tamarind juice. The dish can be supplemented with vegetables or meat and served with fried eggs and krupuk (a kind of chips made with starch).

Nasi Lemak

Among so many traditional Malaysian dishes, Nasi Lemak is considered the Malay cuisine’s symbol. Nasi means rice, and Lemak means rich or delicious. Rice (jasmine or other long-grain rice) is boiled in water with coconut milk, pandan leaves (a leaf with a vanilla-like aroma), and spices.

Sambal (hot sauce with shrimp paste), fried dry anchovies, cucumber, and toasted peanuts are traditional accompaniments to rice. You can add egg, tofu, or fried chicken as protein supplements.

Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a well-known Korean dish that is also considered the country’s national dish.

This dish is made with glutinous rice, a variety of vegetables (for example, spinach, bean sprouts, carrots, and zucchini), shiitake mushrooms, stripped meat (usually beef), egg, and a red pepper paste known as gochujang. Dolsot Bibimbap is served in a very hot stone pot (called Dolsot).

Sushi

Sushi is defined as any preparation made with short-grain cooked rice (this type of rice has a high starch content, which causes the grains to stick together), vinegar, sugar, and salt.

Sushi is classified into several types, the most well-known of which are Makizushi (a dumpling wrapped in a sheet of dried seaweed with various fillings such as vegetables, omelet, and raw fish) and Nigiri (dumpling covered by a slice that can be raw fish, octopus, shrimp or egg).

Risotto

This list would be incomplete without mentioning Risotto, a dish invented in the Italian region of Lombardy. Risotto is made by sautéing rice and then slowly cooking it in broth (from vegetables or meat). There are numerous risotto recipes, the majority of which, like many Italian dishes, pair exceptionally well with wine.

The creaminess of the risotto is one of its main characteristics, so use rice that releases starch when cooked, such as arbóreo, carnaroli, and vialole nano, which are the most commonly used types.

Pad Kra Pao

Pad means fried in Thai, while Kra Pao refers to the herb Thai Basil, which is one of the primary ingredients in this recipe. Jasmine (long grain) rice is utilized, which is sautéed with garlic, Thai basil, bird’s eye pepper (also known as Thai pepper), and your choice of protein (chicken, pork, beef, seafood, or tofu). It’s typically topped with a fried egg.

Jollof Rice

Jollof Rice is a rice dish famous in West African countries, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, where people argue endlessly about who makes the finest Jollof, despite the fact that they did not invent the cuisine, which is credited to the Wolof people of Senegal and Gambia.

Anyway, aside from the story, rice is cooked in a broth made with beaten tomatoes, peppers, onions, and red pepper (it’s common to use Scotch Bonnet pepper, which has a heat level similar to Habanero pepper). Following that, various spices such as curry powder, bay leaf, and thyme are added. A tasty rice dish with bold and spicy tastes.

Jambalaya

Jambalaya is a rice meal that originated in New Orleans (USA). Rice, chicken or pork meat, smoked sausage, and seafood such as shrimp are used to make this dish. Jambalaya comes in two varieties: Cajun and Creole. The difference between the two lies in the method they are prepared as well as some of the ingredients, such as the Creole version’s usage of tomatoes.

Cajun seasoning, by the way, is regarded as one of the best seasonings in the world and can be used in a variety of other dishes.

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