(Family Features) One of the best parts of traveling is trying the local cuisine, and that’s particularly true on an international scale. No matter where you go around the globe, however, there is one ingredient you’ll likely find is an integral part of many cultures and cuisines: rice.

Grown on almost every continent, this staple ingredient is a large part of meals around the world, which means there are nearly endless varieties and recipes to try. However, you don’t need to go on vacation to try authentic-tasting international food; easy-to-make versions of popular dishes from around the globe can be made right at home in mere minutes.

Mediterranean
Known for vibrant vegetables, savory sauces and incredible tastes, the Mediterranean is also home to a few classic rice dishes such as rich and creamy risotto from Italy. Other vibrant options include Spanish specialties like arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) and paella, which is made with an assortment of ingredients like seafood, spices and savory broth. 

Asia
If you’ve ever been to an Asian restaurant, you’ll notice a large portion of the menu likely includes recipes made with rice. While it might be difficult to pinpoint where certain recipes originate, fried rice is a Chinese specialty. Over time, this delicious dish has made its way to many different countries and been reinvented with local ingredients. For example, this Kale and Kimchi “Fried” Rice is based on Korean cuisine and can be made in less than 5 minutes using Minute Jasmine Rice & Red Quinoa Cups, which combine the buttery taste and aromatic scent of authentic Jasmine rice with crunchy, 100% whole-grain red quinoa in a convenient, pre-portioned cup.

Middle East 
Much like other cuisines around the world, Middle Eastern cooking uses rice almost every day. A Turkish and Arab mixed dish, shawarma is now a global street food. Traditional Persian rice uses a variety of spices like turmeric, ginger and cardamom with dried fruits and nuts. 

Latin America 
Latin American recipes vary from country to country and region to region, but rice is essential on the side or as part of the main dish across the board. A quick and easy morning meal, this Mexican Breakfast Scramble is ready in 4 minutes. Aiding the short prep time, Minute Jalapeno Rice Cups are ready in just 1 minute and can help spice up dishes with a tasty blend of onion, green peppers and jalapenos.

North America
With bold flavors, few things say southern comfort quite like Louisiana cooking. Bring the taste of New Orleans to your kitchen with rice-based dishes like gumbo or jambalaya, or by pairing rice with another popular Cajun pastime – a classic shrimp boil.

Find more quick and easy international recipe ideas at MinuteRice.com.

Kale and Kimchi "Fried" Rice

Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 3 minutes
Servings: 1

• 1 Minute Jasmine Rice and Red Quinoa Cup
• 1 cup kale, chopped
• 1/4 cup kimchi, chopped
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

1. Heat rice according to package directions.
2. In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine kale, kimchi and soy sauce. Cover and microwave 1 minute.
3. Add rice and egg; mix well to combine. Cover and microwave 30 seconds. Stir and serve.

Serving Suggestions: Drizzle with sesame oil. Add cooked shrimp.

Mexican Breakfast Scramble

Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1

• 1 Minute Jalapeno Rice Cup
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons salsa
• 2 tablespoons queso fresco

1. Heat rice according to package directions.
2. In small microwave-safe dish, combine egg, salsa and rice.
3. Microwave 1 minute. Stir in cheese; microwave 30 seconds.

Serving Suggestion: For meal to go, wrap scramble in warm tortilla.

Source: Minute Rice

(Family Features) When tried-and-true family favorites turn stale and boring, digging through cookbooks and sorting through blogs for new recipes may seem far too time-consuming for your busy evenings. However, a simple ethnic twist in the kitchen can turn bland dinners into exciting meals.

You don’t need a plane ticket to explore international cuisines. Start with a versatile ingredient like rice, one of the most common kitchen staples around the world. It can transport you to another country in recipes like Korean-inspired Kimchi Fried Rice Bowl with Fried Egg, which provides a savory blend of veggies, basmati rice, soy sauce, sesame oil and more. A quick and easy recipe complete in less than 30 minutes, it’s a simple option for exploring new flavors and encouraging kiddos to expand their horizons.

For a spicy take on ethnic cuisine, you can push mealtime over the top with Thai Cashew Chicken Fried Rice, ready to eat in half an hour. Aromatic jasmine rice is cooked to fluffy perfection then cooled before being combined with sauteed chicken, sugar snap peas and garlic. The dish gets a kick from a Thai red chili pepper, which offers a moderate to hot level of spice; simply omit if spice isn’t nice for you or your loved ones. Mix in soy sauce and a sprinkle of cashews for a truly traditional Thai flavor.

Ready in just 10 minutes, Success Rice’s no measure, no mess, boil-in-bag options make these recipes and other delicious ethnic staples possible with perfectly fluffy rice and quinoa. As a foolproof solution for dishes worth savoring, it takes all the guesswork out of making rice and gives home cooks more time to focus on the rest of the recipe and dinner together as a family.

Find more family meal ideas with an ethnic twist at SuccessRice.com.

Kimchi Fried Rice Bowl with Fried Egg

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

• 2 bags Success Basmati Rice
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup kimchi, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 4 teaspoons sesame oil
• 4 eggs, fried

1. Prepare rice according to package directions.
2. In large wok or skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Stir-fry mushrooms and onions 3-5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in kimchi, garlic and ginger; stir-fry 1-2 minutes, or until well coated.
3. Stir in rice, spinach, soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir-fry 2-3 minutes, or until spinach starts to wilt and rice is heated through.
4. Divide rice between four bowls and top each with one fried egg.

Thai Cashew Chicken Fried Rice

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

• 2 bags Success Jasmine Rice
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
• 1/2 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
• 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 Thai red chili pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/3 cup roasted cashews

1. Prepare rice according to package directions. Let cool completely.
2. In large wok or skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season chicken with salt. Cook chicken, stirring, 3-5 minutes, or until starting to brown. Stir in sugar snap peas, garlic and chili pepper, if desired. Cook, stirring, 3-5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and snap peas are tender-crisp.
3. Stir in rice. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring to combine. Stir in soy sauce. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until rice is heated through.
4. Sprinkle with cashews before serving.

Source: Success Rice