Summer is the time of year that many people look forward to most, perhaps because it’s the season when we take our gatherings outdoors. You simply cannot beat the atmosphere you get at BBQs, cook-outs, lunchtime hang-outs with amigos, and long afternoons with good food and good company. So if you’re looking for recipe inspiration to enhance your summer gatherings, Mahatma® Rice has got you covered.
The Versatility of Rice in Summer Meals
Rice is an essential staple in kitchens all over the world, and it’s easy to see why. It caters to a wide variety of dietary preferences and pairs beautifully with numerous ingredients, making it a perfect foundation for family meals.
Seafood and Fish Rice Dishes
Looking for the perfect food pairing for summer? How about seafood and rice! We’ve got a whole bunch of recipes that showcase a variety of flavors and textures that arise from this delicious combo.
Scintillating Salmon Dish
Salmon is a great option during the summer months. Its tenderness and savory flavor make it perfect for serving in rice dishes, as this Teriyaki Salmon with Jasmine Rice demonstrates. Featuring an exquisite yet easy-to-make homemade teriyaki sauce recipe, it’s made with fragrant Mahatma® Ready to Heat Jasmine Rice.
Paella – A Family-Friendly Meal Ideal for Outdoor Dining
For centuries, paella has been a mainstay of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, and it’s no surprise why. Versatile and flavorful, paella can be made in a wide range of variations, allowing home cooks to indulge their creative side. This Authentic Spanish Paella with Seafood offers a medley of flavors, from mussels to monkfish to shrimp, all blended together within Mahatma® Valencia Short Grain Rice.
Elegant Tuna and Rice Tower – Gourmet Cooking
If you’re looking to serve up a seafood dish that’s delicious and visually stunning in equal measure, how about this elegant Tuna Tartare with Rice and Avocado? Made with soft, buttery avocado, bluefin tuna, pickled gherkins, and Mahatma® Sticky Rice, it’s a refreshing seafood dish destined to dazzle your loved ones.
BBQ and Meat-Based Rice Recipes
Combining rice with poultry and meat creates hearty dishes that satisfy appetites and bring families together. These recipes are perfect for grilling season, but can also be made at home if you prefer to cook in the comfort of your kitchen.
First up is a summer BBQ sizzler: our BBQ Chicken Skewers with Chipotle Rice. What makes this simple BBQ chicken recipe great is the addition of Mahatma® Ready to Heat Chipotle Rice, which complements the flavor of grilled chicken perfectly.
Alternatively, if you prefer your BBQ chicken to come with a herbaceous, zesty side-dish, try these Garlic Lemon Chicken Kebabs and Green Rice. Loaded with herbs and spices, the fragrant rice combines beautifully with the smoky barbecued chicken.
Chef’s Tip: Prepare both these sides separately at your next BBQ and allow guests to choose their preferred rice accompaniment.
Rice Salads – Perfect Sides for Summer
What would summer dining be without refreshing salads? Versatile and flavorful, rice salads provide scope for creativity and can be made using readily available seasonal ingredients. This Greek Salad with Feta Cheese and Tomato is a mouthwatering dish that can be enjoyed as a side or as a main meal. Made with fresh avocado, tomato, cucumber, red onions, and crumbly, irresistible feta cheese, this dish ticks all the boxes.
Equally tasty and easy to make is our California Sushi Bowl. A fusion favorite, this dish combines sticky rice with classic sushi ingredients for a vibrant dish with oodles of flavor.
Vegetarian and Vegan Rice Options
Exploring vegetarian and vegan rice meals offers a delicious alternative for those looking to enjoy hearty, flavorful dishes. These options highlight the versatility of rice while showcasing fresh ingredients.
For a vegan option with a spicy kick, try this Vegan Tinga Rice Bowl. Made with chickpeas, shredded hearts of palm, peppers, garlic, and spicy tomato sauce, it’s traditionally made with shredded chicken but can easily be adapted for vegans without skimping on flavor, as this recipe amply demonstrates.
Alternatively, if you want to prepare a vegetarian-friendly dish at your next cookout, these Vegetable Rice Fritters are perfect for passing around on platters. Made with grated carrot, zucchini, onion, eggs, and Mahatma® Garlic and Olive Oil Jasmine Ready to Heat Rice, these crispy, egg-fried fritters work wonderfully as an appetizer or party snack.
Incorporating Seasonal Vegetables
Seasonal vegetables play a crucial role in vegetarian rice dishes, offering natural flavors and colors. Options can change throughout the year, but some common choices include:
- Spring: asparagus, peas, and radishes.
- Summer: zucchini, bell peppers, and corn.
- Fall: pumpkin, butternut squash, and kale.
- Winter: carrots, root vegetables, and hardy greens.
Incorporating these vegetables not only adds flavor but also increases the nutritional content of the meals. Roasting or sautéing these seasonal delights brings out their natural sweetness, making each dish more satisfying.
Summer Cooking at Home
Make the most of summer by breaking bread with the people you love. Hosting is one of life’s most enduring pleasures, perhaps because nothing beats the taste of home-cooked food. For more recipe inspiration and culinary tips, drop by our kitchen and see what we’ve been cooking.