Meatless Day Challenge #Week8
It has been really hectic with Chinese New Year just round the corner. This whole weekend was dedicated to CNY cookies and tarts. So there is no recipe this week. What I have is a tribute to the beautiful fresh vegetables that I bought from Veg out at St. Kilda farmers market. Some may say I am silly but I do get excited when I see a nice piece of meat. And I do get excited when I see lovely vegetables. Especially summer vegetables. They are so bright, colourful and cheery.
Fresh vegetables from the farmers market
Earlier that day, I cooked 5 different rice mix – white, brown, black, red and wild. Minus the white, the rest of the rice types are pretty damn good for you. Brown rice has always been known to be more nutritious than white and known to cure constipation in the food old days. Red rice is known to aid in digestion and in revitalising the blood. Black rice is very high in fiber and changes to a purple colour when cooked. Wild rice is gluten free, high in fiber and protein.
5 different types of rice
The overall texture of the rice is very chewy. It also tastes much nuttier. And the whole pot of rice has turned a lovely purple colour. It must be stained either from the black or red rice. I knew it will look even better with my selection of vegetables that I had in mind for it.
Cooked mixed rice
I decided to add fresh herbs that I had picked from our little vegetables patch. The spring onion and the coriander had such intense flavour and so aromatic as well.
Herbs from the garden
I simply stir fried the vegetables with finely chopped habanero and small chillies, light soy sauce, mirin and season it with salt and white pepper. The mixed rice was added to the mixture and given a good stir. Taste and season. The fresh herbs is the last puzzle of this very simple but delicious dinner.
Fresh vegetables and rice stir fry
Out of the loot, I used sweet corn, all 3 capsicums, string beans and zucchini. It may just be vegetables but we were very happy to eat it. The fresh vegetables was naturally sweet and not much seasoning was required. I made a big batch so it will not just be going meatless for a day this week 
What is your favourite herb this season?
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
RT @jeroxie: Meatless Day Challenge #8 – all about summer vegetables http://jeroxie.com/addiction/meatless-da... (Plus I like to see how this post works with t …
Hehe, my teeth are aching by just looking at the rice – so chewy yet so healthy and colourful. I would leave out the coriander, though. I can't stand the stuff. Dill, though, is another matter…
nom nom nom! That looks amazing!
This must have been so good – how great that you have fresh coriander in your garden, I'm jealous!
Trix´s last blog ..Homemade Fettuncine, Two Ways
You eat so healthy! Good on ya. I'd be happy with an all-veggies meal if they were cooked so nicely like this dish. This is what I call everyday food!
The Little Teochew´s last blog ..5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
You know I've never cooked more than two types of rice together before. I love the idea of have so many different types of rich in the same dish. You've inspired me Penny!!
Maria@TheGourmetChallenge´s last blog ..Pavlova
That makes me excited too. I could die of longing walking around the fruit and veg section at the Queen Vic Markets!
Who needs meat with so many types of rice??? Well, ok, that argument may be slightly flawed, but that rice looks pretty amazing.
Conor @ HoldtheBeef´s last blog ..Melbourne: Flavours of Grand the Sams
That looks sooooo good, and good for you.
Anna´s last blog ..Beef and Leeks Couscous
Love the idea of 5 types of rice. Sounds fast, tasty and fresh – perfect!
shaz´s last blog ..Malaysian Monday 24: Kuih Bakul (Steamed Glutinous Rice Cake)
Penny, this is gorgeous. You combined all the wonderful rice in one dish and all the vegetables are so fresh and vibrant. This is my kind of dish for the summer.
Divina´s last blog ..Meatless Day Challenge: Gluten-Free Korean Pancakes
Gorgeous, love how the rice was stained a pinky/purple. It looks great against the green of the herbs and colours of the vegetables.
Agnes´s last blog ..Cookbook Challenge: Week 12, Eggs
love the 5 rices combination – where did you get the red rice?
hey lovely! I've got this from Asian grocer in Footscray. I think you can find it in Minh Phat at Victoria market? Seen it before.
this is my kind of meal penny! I love that you created a rice mix, I know it tastes great with those delicious blend of vegetables.
Wonderful combination. My favorite fresh herbs are basil, cilantro, mints, and chives.
Cajun Chef Ryan´s last blog ..Mardi Gras, Saints, and Super Bowl 2010 Champs…The Perfect Storm?
What sort of rice cooker did you use?
Wouldn't the different types of rice need different amounts of water to cook?
I had a 'smart' japanese cooker that had a mix rice function. So it did all the guess work out for me. But I will think that with mix rice, it will need slightly more water than just white rice.
I am in the market for a new rice cooker. The one I have at the moment is just a cheap number.
Where did you buy yours?
I'm so glad Freya asked that question – I feel less of a freak now. Make and model of said rice cooker, please! I love love LOVE the fact that it has different measres for different rices on the inside. Though I do notice that the non-stick is starting to wear. How long have you had it?
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Thanks everyone for their comments. xoxo
Billy & Freya – I use Tiger rice cooker. I am not sure if they sell it in melb. My lovely mum brought it all the way from SG for me! But this is the link – http://www.tigerricecooker.net/ Mine is the one of the left. It is brilliant. Perfect rice everytime.
Looks so fresh and yummy! Especially that coriander!
Stacy´s last blog ..Polenta Pizza with Pesto, Gorgonzola, Pear and Chives
What a great idea to mix all the rices penny! This looks really great, I mean its healthy lots of flavor and a variety of textures, that is my kind of meal right there
Joy´s last blog ..Epic Indian Feast