Holiday Brown Rice Recipes

fullplateapprovedrecipes recipe
Holiday Table Setting

With the holiday season in full swing, we're sharing brown rice recipes to feature at any of your celebrations - Hanukkah, Kwanza, Christmas, Yaldā Night and New Years. Brown rice is a gluten-free grain rich in vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds. Because it's less processed and contains more fiber than white rice, it's a more diabetic-friendly choice for your table. Try one of these festive brown rice recipes this holiday season. 

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Veggie Fried Rice – Hanukkah

Where to Serve: This veggie fried rice is the perfect way to celebrate the oil never running out during Hanukkah. It's a kid-friendly recipe, so bring the young into the kitchen and prepare the meal together as a family.

75% fiber foods – brown rice, mushrooms, ginger, garlic, peas, carrots, onions
25% foods – oil, eggs

Jeweled Persian Rice – Yaldā Night

Where to Serve: Use brown jasmine rice for a healthier version of this festive dish and bring it to your next Yaldā Night celebration. Make sure to surround this dish with lots of 75% water-fiber foods. 

75% fiber foods – brown rice, lemon, pomegranate seeds
25% foods – white rice, pistachios, almonds, dried figs, dried apricots, dried cherries, coconut oil

Recipe Note: Use only 1 tablespoon of coconut oil as it is very high in saturated fat.

Cranberry-Pear Rice Pilaf – Christmas

Where to Serve: This colorful dish is a wonderful gluten-free option for Christmas dinner. 

75% fiber foods – brown rice, onion, pear, spinach
25% foods – butter, dried cranberries, pecans, pear juice

Recipe Note: If you or a loved one attending the dinner is diabetic, use water instead of pear juice. Choose 1 tablespoon of Earth Balance Whipped Buttery Spread to lower the saturated fat in the recipe. 

Jollof Rice Bowl – Kawanza

Where to Serve: Make a large batch of Jollof rice and have your family celebrate creativity by building their own bowl during Kawanza week.

75% fiber foods – onion, garlic, bonnet pepper, red pepper, tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato puree, brown rice, cucumber, black-eyed peas, corn
25% foods – oil, fish/chicken/tempeh/tofu   

Hoppin John – New Years

Where to Serve: Ideal meal for lunch or dinner to bring in some fortune, good luck and health for the New Year. 

75% fiber foods – black-eyed peas, onion, turnips, celery, jalapeños, garlic, turnip greens, brown rice, scallions
25% foods – white rice, oil, optional ham hock

Recipe Note: Use brown rice instead of white to make room for other 25% items on your plate.

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