Quick and Easy Dishes for Dining Al Fresco
(Family Features) Warmer weather is often welcome for a variety of reasons and dining outdoors can help take that appreciation to the next level. Keeping ingredients lists short and prep time minimal also allows you to spend more time enjoying the sunshine and blue skies al fresco with the ones you love.
Even when you’re short on time, you can take mealtime from the dining room to the deck with an ingredient like Minute Rice Cups. Available in 13 varieties, including White and Brown rice, the convenient, single-serving, BPA-free cups are ready in just 90 seconds or less. Perfect for taking to the office for lunch or as an on-the-go snack, the cups can also be used as a quick and easy base for nearly any meal occasion.
For example, this simple Fish with Bok Choy features plenty of complex flavors with flaky white fish, crisp bok choy and 100% whole-grain brown rice. The brown rice provides the ideal texture for the ginger, sesame and nutty notes in this dish, and the whole recipe can be on the table in 10 minutes. Because white fish fillets are neutral and mild, they absorb all the flavors from the dish, and are an ideal protein for those with busy schedules due to their short cooking time.
Or, bursting with colors and flavors, this Fiesta Rice satisfies fresh cravings with an irresistible combo of white rice, tomatoes, green onions and creamy avocado. Ready in less than 5 minutes, this dish can also be customized with a different grain variety or extra juicy, sweet cherry tomatoes in place of diced tomatoes. To make this satisfying side a complete meal, simply add grilled chicken or your favorite protein.
To find more quick and easy recipes perfect for enjoying outdoors, visit MinuteRice.com.
Fish with Bok Choy
Prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 7 minutes
Servings: 1
- 1 Minute Brown Rice Cup
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 white fish fillet
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 baby bok choy, quartered
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- Heat rice according to package directions. Set aside.
- Add salt and pepper to both sides of fish, to taste.
- In medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Cook fish 2 minutes on each side. Remove fish from pan and keep warm.
- In same pan, add sesame oil and ginger. Cook 1 minute.
- Add bok choy to pan and stir-fry 2 minutes. Add soy sauce; stir to incorporate. Top rice with fish and serve with bok choy.
Fiesta Rice
Prep time: 3 minutes
Cook time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
- 1 Minute White Rice Cup
- 1 diced tomato
- 1/2 diced avocado
- 1 sliced green onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- Heat rice according to package directions. Set aside.
- In bowl, combine tomato, avocado, onion and cilantro.
- Add lime juice and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Mix thoroughly and serve.
Source: Minute Rice
Family-Friendly Foods Fit for Lent
(Family Features) As families ponder Lenten recipes fit for the season with flavorful seafood as a filling protein, one important aspect to take into account is the kid-friendliness of the dish. Offer up a dinnertime delight the whole family can enjoy with shrimp-based options that provide familiar flavors in appetizing ways.
For example, you can take your taste buds on an international trip with tasty Cuban Shrimp and Rice Tacos for an easy-to-prepare meal bursting with the flavors of citrus and herbs for a winning weeknight dinner. You can even increase the fun by serving with toppings like salsa, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese and shredded lettuce to allow kids to garnish their tacos however they’d like.
Lime-Ginger Shrimp Fried Rice is an Asian-inspired option with additions of bok choy, lime juice, fresh ginger root and mango for zesty flavor. Both dishes require half an hour or less in the kitchen, leaving more time for family fun in the evenings.
Plus, you can add to the convenience of these meals by incorporating an option like Success Rice with its taste, texture and quality that help make mealtime a cinch. With its “Boil-in-Bag” cooking process that provides a satisfying shortcut, simply add water to a saucepan, drop the BPA-free bag into the water, boil for 10 minutes and remove with a fork for a no measure, no mess timesaver that pairs perfectly with sauteed shrimp for Lent-inspired dinners.
Find more family-friendly Lenten meal ideas at SuccessRice.com.
Lime-Ginger Shrimp Fried Rice
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
- 2 bags Success Jasmine Rice
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
- 8 baby bok choy, trimmed and quartered
- 1/2 cup diced fresh mango
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Prepare rice according to package directions. Let cool completely.
- In wok or large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Cook shrimp, bok choy, mango, ginger and salt, stirring, 3-5 minutes, or until shrimp start to curl and bok choy starts to wilt.
- Stir in rice. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until well coated. Stir in soy sauce and lime juice. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until rice is heated through.
Cuban Shrimp and Rice Tacos
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Jasmine Rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 8 corn tortillas, warmed
- 1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- Prepare rice according to package directions.
- In large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add shrimp, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper; saute 2-3 minutes, or until shrimp start to curl.
- Stir in rice, black beans, orange juice and lime juice. Cook 5-8 minutes, or until shrimp are cooked through and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Serve shrimp and rice in warm tortillas garnished with avocado and cilantro.
Source: Success Rice