640277 Wed Jul 29 05:02:43 -0700 2009 4 31 Home Cooking 0 4899387 I received a gift of rice for Christmas (yeah, I know, months ago). It's a blend of glutinous purple rice and jasmine rice from Alter Eco fair trade foods. I'd like some suggestions from this collection of wonderful home cooks! I'm not a "rice person"--I much prefer bread--but I do cook rice on occasion if the recipe calls for it or it would make a nice bed/side for whatever particular entree I'm cooking. Don't think I've ever cooked glutinous rice before! There are cooking instructions on the box but no recipe or "serve with" suggestions, which is what I'm looking for. Given that it's a rice blend, perhaps some of you could help me out here (were it entirely jasmine rice, for example, I'd have no problem). The entire box also serves 9, so I'd only be using no more than half the box. Wed Jul 29 05:02:43 -0700 2009 131171 nofunlatte 1 4899811 First off, open the box and smell the rice first to make sure it hasn't gone rancid. I've never used this blend, but glutinous means it will hold together so think along the lines of wrapped/stuffed - cabbage rolls, dolma, stuffed peppers, the filling for chicken breast, sole, or a butterflied-and-rolled roast. Expect this rice to be chewier than you may be used to. Wed Jul 29 07:45:59 -0700 2009 4899387 159317 greygarious 1 4899858 The purple rice will be chewier, but I think pleasantly so. Stuffing would work but you're not limited to it. It would be terrific with duck and would make a fantastic rice pudding. I make the china black rice pudding on epicurious, com which tradionally has chopped mango added to it. You could also cook the whole package and turn half into a rice salad. I'd add dried cranberries, pecans or another nut, lots of thinly sliced scallions, a simple vinegrate and some citrus zest (or really good citrus oil). I'd put at least the vinegaret on while the rice is still warm, but you could prep all while the rice is cooking and toss together warm. Wed Jul 29 08:01:46 -0700 2009 4899387 117271 Stuffed Monkey 1 4905699 greygarious and Stuffed Monkey--thanks for your ideas and suggestions! I am looking forward to using my rice and I'll report back! Fri Jul 31 04:45:14 -0700 2009 4899387 131171 nofunlatte 2 4906632 What about the recipe on the Alter Eco website: Purple Rice Pilaf with Parmigiano Reggiano and Smashed Peas http://www.altereco-usa.com/main.php?section=recipe&subsection=recipe Sounds & looks like it could be served with any main dish. Fri Jul 31 10:27:08 -0700 2009 4905699 23862 Mr. Roboto