Instant Rice Plan B

College is all about Plan B in so many ways--life, finances, grades, relationships, dreams, food and getting food. Try to keep something in your "pantry", even if it is small…maybe, some grains, canned and boxed foods…and don't forget, the freezer!

'The Kitchen' TV show from Food Network recently featured some cool ideas with rice, in particular, "instant rice", and what you might do with it--from pesto to veggies to the recipe I am featuring today. I am not sure I get the benefit of 'instant rice' (other than the pre-packaged / -portioned component of it and option to microwave it) because the Original Uncle Ben's Instant Rice takes 20 minutes on the stovetop--no different than regular rice.

Maybe it's flavor or the convenience. You choose!  Of course, if you are experiencing the dog days of a 'very tight budget', even this particular recipe might not be possible except for plain rice; otherwise, it is quite good and serves two people well!

Instant Rice Plan B

Equipment:

5-quart saucepan

Non-skillet

Mixing Bowl

Ingredients:

2 bags Instant Rice (2 cups)

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

1/2 cup grated parmesan

4 slices thick-cut or 8 slices regular bacon, chopped, seared and drained

2 Tbls butter

1/4 lemon juice with zest of 1lemon

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Cook chopped bacon in nonstick skillet and drain on paper towels.

3. Prep the lemon zest, lemon juice, peas, and grate the cheese.

4. Boil the rice bags for 10 minutes as per package instructions. 

5. Drain rice bags and pour rice into your mixing bowl.

6. Add butter, cheese, lemon juice and zest. 

7. Add peas and bacon.

8. Season to taste w salt and pepper.

Stir it up! 

No need to be stranded when it comes to food, even on a college budget!