Spice up your rice

Anyone who has ever followed a meal plan knows that consistency is the key to seeing results. Eating the same foods repeatedly can become easier to stick to, however it can feel repetitive and get boring. By switching a few simple ingredients or adjusting your cooking method, you can achieve a different flavor and make your food feel like you are having a new meal. 

We’ve previously discussed that a balanced meal consists of three macronutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Carbohydrates are essential for our bodies. You will find them in our meal plans as they are our primary energy source. Rice is a staple ingredient in the majority of our meals. It tastes good, is easy to cook, and is inexpensive. However, eating plain white rice can get boring, so it's time we spice things up.

Add flavor and protein to your rice using broth instead of water. My favorite is chicken broth. It tastes good and even gives it a bit of color. You can either make your own broth or buy a store-bought one. To make your own, you must boil your poultry of choice, add a piece of white onion, and a dash of salt. To add more flavor, you can add various types of dry seasonings like thyme, rosemary, and oregano, to name a few. Once your chicken is fully cooked, remove the chicken and drain the broth. 

Chicken broth is versatile and can be used to cook your veggies or make other meals, not just rice. Now that your broth is ready, you want to stick to our same water-to-rice ratio.

For every dry cup of rice, you need two cups of liquid. If you are cooking 1 cup of dry rice, you need 2 cups of chicken broth. Rinse your rice, add broth to the pot bring it down to low heat once it reaches a boil. Turn off and remove from heat. 

Fun fact: There is 9g of protein in every 8 oz chicken broth.