Download Fresh Choices! QUICK TIPS FOR CPAs...on Brown Rice (PDF: 29KB/2 pages) - 02/17/2010

Fresh Choices!
QUICK TIPS FOR CPAs
….on Brown Rice
This is the 3rd in a series of monthly WIC Wednesday Updates providing “quick
tips” for CPAs about the new food package. Look for ideas on how to use WIC
food and quick counseling tips. This WIC Wednesday Update focuses on brown
rice.
Brown Rice: Rice from which only the hull has been removed is called brown
rice. The light brown color is caused by the presence of bran layers, which are
rich in minerals and vitamins. Cooked brown rice has a slightly chewy texture and
a nut-like flavor.
 Make a rice dish with brown rice in place of white rice. Regularcooking brown rice requires more time to cook, so be sure to adjust
cooking times. Cooking time is generally about twice as long as white rice.
 Look for instant or quick-cooking brown rice products. Many grocery
stores carry instant or quick-cooking brown rice in the WIC-allowed 14 to
16 ounce size. These products are convenient and may be more
appealing to participants than regular-cooking brown rice. Find a listing of
WIC-allowed rice products on the MDH WIC website at
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/vendor/fpchng/upc/index.html.
 Assess how rice is used in the diet. For some, white rice is more than
just a food preference -- it may be a traditional part of the diet and carry
significant cultural meaning. Begin with small steps. Suggest ways to
replace white rice with brown rice where the difference is not as
noticeable. Participants might be willing to try brown rice in mixed dishes
such as in soups, stews and tortilla wraps.
 Suggest simple ways to use brown rice. Share your experiences,
especially if there is an easy recipe that your child likes. Here are some
quick ideas from the Minute Rice website:
o Cinnamon Rice: Prepare brown rice. Add butter and milk to the hot
rice. Stir in cinnamon and brown sugar. If desired, add fresh berries,
sliced peaches or bananas.
o Southwest Rice and Beans: Sauté onion, bell pepper and garlic. Add
cooked rice. Stir in black beans and diced canned or fresh tomatoes.
o Easy Fried Rice: Scramble an egg. Add cooked brown rice. Stir-in any
of the following: sliced mushrooms, chopped onion, chopped bell
pepper, peas, diced carrots, ginger or garlic, soy sauce, or fully-cooked
ham, chicken or shrimp.
Check out the recipes that use brown rice in the new WIC cookbook Healthy
Families Food, Fun & Facts.
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/wic/newwicfoods/ppt/foodfunfacts/recipes/index.html
Many recipes in the Main Dish and Breads and Grains sections include rice.
We would love to hear your quick tips for using any of the new WIC foods.
Please submit your ideas to Sandy Benham at [email protected].