Chicken and mushroom brown rice and lentil risotto + a giveaway
Product and giveaway provided by SunRice and F4 Consulting.
Brown rice and lentils.
I know, for most people it doesn’t bring up images of deliciousness.
But but but… what if I told you that it is possible to cook something really tasty from brown rice and lentils – something so good you could serve to guests?
Recently I was sent some of SunRice’s new product Naturally Rice & Lentils to try.
It’s made up of 85% whole grain brown rice and 15% whole lentils, and I wanted to use it to cook something both easy and delicious.
My idea was a chicken and mushroom risotto – an ever so slightly healthier version, if you ignore all that parmesan.
Yes, I am aware that risotto is typically made with high starch white rice, the starch giving the dish a creaminess that can’t really be replicated with brown rice – but! I’m not totally nuts, I promise! The reason I’ve used this product in a risotto is because of the lentils.
Uh huh. The lentils. Because when they cook enough, they add a creaminess to the rice, which is a good substitute for the starch.
My risotto started with onion and plenty of garlic, and then I amped up the flavour with dried porcini as well as fresh mushrooms, and chicken stock instead of water.
All the ingredients went into the super awesome amazing rice cooker (read on to win one) on brown rice setting and the result was… well…
Excuse me while I toot my own horn. It was delicious. Really delicious. Wow I’m so amazing I did such a good job delicious. π
And yes, I did actually serve it to friends who came for lunch and it was a great success.
(However, full disclosure: our friends’ 7 and 4 year olds weren’t big fans. The kids had peanut butter on toast instead. Children.)
Competition
Want to try SunRice brown rice and lentils AND win an awesome rice cooker?
Yes you do! It is one awesome rice cooker (it PLAYS A TUNE :D) and if you don’t already own one – you NEED one in your life.
Thanks to SunRice and F4 Consulting, two people will win lots of SunRice to try plus an awesome rice cooker (that plays a tune).
All you need to do is comment below and tell me what you’d cook. Abbey from F4 will draw the winners randomly.
Make sure you include a valid email address when you comment β it won’t be published, but I’ll use it to contact you if you win. This competition will close at midnight on Monday 3 November and is valid for Australian residents only. Good luck!
UPDATE: Competition has now closed. Congratulations to Lizzy and Lorna M – please check your emails. π
Ingredients
- 5g dried porcini
- 1 medium onion (approximately 200g), peeled and finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
- 350 fresh portobello / brown mushrooms, cut into 1cm chunks
- 1.5 cups SunRice Naturally rice and lentils
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 400g chicken thighs, cut into 2cm cubes
- Β½ teaspoon salt
- 60g parmesan cheese
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the porcini and soak in just enough hot water to cover for 15 minutes.
- In a frying pan, heat a dash of olive oil over a medium-low heat for a minute and then add the diced onions. Cook gently for about 5 minutes until the onions are soft but not browned.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute or two.
- Add half of the chopped mushrooms, setting the other half aside for later, and fry on medium-low heat for a couple of minutes. Take the pan off the heat and set aside.
- In a sieve/colander, rinse the SunRice brown rice and lentils under cold running water.
- Squeeze out the liquid from your porcini and chop them roughly, reserving the soaking liquid..
- Place the rice and mushroom mixture into the bowl of your rice cooker. Add the chicken stock, the diced chicken meat, the chopped porcini, the porcini soaking liquid, and Β½ teaspoon salt. Stir to combine.
- Set the rice cooker on to brown rice mode. Set yourself a timer so you can return to the rice cooker when it has 25 minutes left of cooking time.
- At the 25 minute countdown, add the rest of the mushrooms to the mixture and stir. Close the lid and let the rice cooker finish cooking.
- Once it has finished, let it sit for another 5-10 minutes in the rice cooker. Once that time has elapsed, open the lid and grate in the parmesan cheese and season with fresh pepper. Stir to combine. Serve with extra parmesan on top if desired.
Notes
Take a note of how long your rice cooker takes to cook brown rice before you start. My rice cooker takes 1.5 hours on brown rice mode, so the first time I used it, it was a very late dinner.
This recipe can also be done in the pressure cooker. The ratio of liquid to rice is 1.5 cups of liquid per 1 cup of rice. Add all the ingredients (except for the cheese) and the reduced amount of liquid to your pressure cooker, and cook under high pressure for 20 minutes. Once it has finished, release the pressure and open the lid. Let the risotto sit for 5-10 minutes with the lid off before adding the parmesan cheese.
Jackie
October 24, 2014 @ 11:35 am
I used to make an amazing Japanese-ish steamed rice thing and lots of mushrooms but since I’ve been in my current house I haven’t been able to because my stove has one setting and that is EXTREME HEAT. a rice cooker would be awesome!
Keren
October 24, 2014 @ 6:15 pm
Ooooh, I’m not sure what The Sparky would have to say if I put brown rice and lentils into the one meal but that rice looks really nice. I think I’d err on the side of caution first use and use it for rice as a side dish to something. Would love to be able to use a cooker for something more than that though, like this risotto (sans mushrooms!) … the cooker we have at the moment is a pretty cheap basic one.
Hannah
October 24, 2014 @ 7:53 pm
My mum has this completely irrational hatred for/rejection of rice cookers, so if I got one I would use it to cook all kinds of wacky things like rice cooker cakes and pilafs and porridge to prove to her SHE IS WRONG.
PS Beautiful new site, my dear!
Lam
October 26, 2014 @ 8:55 pm
Ohh i would love this rice cooker. I can never cook rice right.
Iron Chef Shellie
October 26, 2014 @ 8:55 pm
Iβm a fail asain with no rice cooker! π
Iβd cook claypot chicken rice in it, cos claypot chicken rice needs to have a lovely little rice cooker tune served on the side π
Anh
October 26, 2014 @ 8:57 pm
Another great recipe Agnes, cant wait to try it (hopefully made with a new rice cooker)
Benjamin Travia
October 27, 2014 @ 7:58 pm
Risotto, my favourite rice dish of all time.
Amanda Gorton
October 28, 2014 @ 5:34 am
Cooking perfect rice and risotto isn’t one of my strong points so I can definitely see the benefit in this appliance.
I would firstly attempt a attempt a tomato and Italian sausage risotto but would love to experiment more with rice salads to feature as side dishes for summer BBQ’s and while entertaining.
Michelle V
October 28, 2014 @ 2:27 pm
I’d make some arancini filled with peas, corn , and chorizo! Yum!!!
Jocelyn R
October 28, 2014 @ 7:44 pm
I’d make a bacon & pumpkin risotto. Its my favourite easy meal. My rice cooker went missing when we moved house and I do miss it dearly!
KELLY WALTER
October 29, 2014 @ 5:36 pm
Pumpkin Risotto! such an quick and easy meal to make especially as Husband does night shift.
And Especially being pregnant you dont want to spend most of your time in the kitchen cooking away so it would be such a lifesaver to win this.
joyjoyc
October 29, 2014 @ 5:43 pm
I’d cook up a Spanish seafood paella with seafood, chicken, chorizo and of course rice! Hopefully the Tefal rice cooker can play a Spanish tune, it will get me in the mood!
Julia Parker
October 29, 2014 @ 7:55 pm
Chicken Curry, with coconut cream. A family favourite, perfect with brown rice.
Jill Walton
October 29, 2014 @ 8:18 pm
I would try to create a Pina Colada rice pudding with pineapple chunks & coconut milk. Perfect for this summer.
Caroline Kelly
October 29, 2014 @ 9:51 pm
I have longed to create Hainanese style Chicken and rice. However, without owning a rice cooker, I have been afraid that my cooked rice will not be on par with restaurant quality.
Jen K
October 29, 2014 @ 10:23 pm
I’m yet to finalise how this dish would work but it will involve jasmine rice with my favourite ingredients, ginger, turmeric, almonds . . . maybe a stick of lemongrass or a kaffir lime leaf, a bit of coconut . . . and some greens. Happiness in a rice cooker!
Michael D
October 29, 2014 @ 11:20 pm
Nasi Goreng
KAren D
October 29, 2014 @ 11:22 pm
Thai Green Chicken Curry
Helena Leung
October 29, 2014 @ 11:40 pm
I’d cook a family favourite, Chinese sticky rice! It’s chock full of delicious Chinese pork sausage, Chinese mushrooms, dried shrimp and shallots. When my grandmother used to make it the old fashion way, my Dad used to stand around the kitchen annoying her by salivating and asking every few minutes whether it was done. Now my kids do the same thing!
Lizzy
October 30, 2014 @ 1:35 am
The beautiful Lebanese dish of Mujadarra which consists of brown rice, lentils, chicken stock, seasoning, cumin seeds, caramelised onions and when cooked is served as a side dish and topped with Greek yoghurt and freshly chopped coriander. I’ve made this on the stove and would love to try it in a rice cooker and leave Tefal and SunRice to work their magic!
joe crisafulli
October 30, 2014 @ 5:52 am
QUINOA & BROWN RICE SUMMER-STYLE RISOTTO with parmesan & shallots
Penne
October 30, 2014 @ 11:51 am
My top secret Cheesy-Zucchini risotto. Cant give away too much but let’s just say it contains pine nuts, wine and is utterly delish!
Samantha
October 30, 2014 @ 12:23 pm
I’d cook ocean salmon with wild rice salad topped with sugar snapped peas and shiitake mushrooms drizzled with yoghurt caper sauce π
Diana
October 30, 2014 @ 12:37 pm
Bacon, Leek and Mushroom Risotto, one of our favourites. Be nice to let the cooker cook it, instead of me standing by the stove doing it all when I could be doing something else, like making a dessert perhaps?
DIANA O
October 30, 2014 @ 12:40 pm
A creamy rice pudding like Gran makes, she said when I get my own rice cooker she’ll share her secret (& very delicious) recipe with me……promising not to omit one single ingredient, as she frequently does when others badger her for a recipe lol
tizzerina
October 30, 2014 @ 1:46 pm
Oh! This is an awesome prize! I would love to try,
Spicy vegetable fried rice filled with colourful vegies π
Maria
October 30, 2014 @ 2:03 pm
I’ve never made risotto using a rice cooker so I’d start by making a Chicken, Bacon and Asparagus risotto.
Lorna M
October 30, 2014 @ 4:24 pm
“Claypot” Chicken Rice (the twist is using a rice cooker). Succulent pieces of boneless chicken in caramel sauce, dried shrimps, mushrooms, sliced chinese sausages, carrots, spices, all cooked together than mixed with raw rice and finally cooked through in the rice cooker. Gloriously fragrant and delightfully delicious. A favorite with friends and family.
Mel
October 30, 2014 @ 4:57 pm
I’d make this! Looks delicious π
Rosana
October 30, 2014 @ 5:17 pm
To be able to cook perfectly fluffy plain rice for the first time in my life would be a dream (my family would totally appreciate it). Surely paellas, risottos, nasi gorengs would follow. The sky is the limit π
jody buhagiar
October 30, 2014 @ 5:58 pm
i would get stuck into making a rice pudding. Im already drooling!
karina l
October 30, 2014 @ 8:49 pm
I would love to be able to cook up a chicken and mushroom risotto!
Ariane
October 30, 2014 @ 9:46 pm
I would make my favourite curried rice salad, so healthy and tasty and wow, even more fun to make now I can hear a tune
salvatore
October 30, 2014 @ 10:40 pm
Thats a great recipe! I make a mean fried rice, thats what I would make first .
Belinda McLeod
October 30, 2014 @ 10:41 pm
Love to have my meals with steamed rice and like it to be cooked perfectly
kzsupreme
October 30, 2014 @ 10:42 pm
To try a risotto, it might actually work if i won ;0
Cathy Houden
October 31, 2014 @ 12:30 am
Apple Rice Pudding – desert cooking perfectly while I eat my main. That’s awesome!
Tanene
October 31, 2014 @ 2:38 pm
I would make apricot chicken risotto. I had it once a few years ago and havent been game to try and make it so this would give me the push I need to try π
Jenny L
October 31, 2014 @ 7:41 pm
Definitely Rice Pudding as it would be quick and easy in this fantastic rice cooker π
Jennifer B.
October 31, 2014 @ 10:24 pm
I’d be happy to just produce fluffy aromatic basmati steamed rice to go with my favourite Thai dishes!
Sarah T
November 1, 2014 @ 12:06 am
I am a huge fan of seafood risotto, definitely make this.
Sharon M
November 1, 2014 @ 10:00 am
Fried Rice is my favourite rice meal so the Tefal Rice Cooker can get my main ingredient cooked perfectly so I can add yummy things to it π Thank you!!!
Sharon
November 1, 2014 @ 12:13 pm
Spicy yellow rice-my son loves it!
Nicole W
November 1, 2014 @ 4:34 pm
βCabbage Leaf Dolmades with Feta Sauceβ for main and βRum & Raisin Rice Puddingβ for dessert. What a great Christmas present this would make! π
Sonya
November 1, 2014 @ 9:31 pm
I’d cook my famous bacon and asparagus risotto. It’s creamy and cheesy and full of delicious goodness!
Julian
November 1, 2014 @ 9:34 pm
My Chinese Fried Rice…. you need chinese sausage, spring onion, eggs, sesame oil and peanut oil and it tastes just like what you get in Chinese restaurants!
Nic T
November 1, 2014 @ 9:35 pm
I’d make Mushroom, Leek and Bacon Risotto, because it’s the best thing on earth!
Val C
November 2, 2014 @ 7:27 pm
I love rice and would love to try a risotto with absolutely everything in!
Karla Oleinikoff
November 2, 2014 @ 11:44 pm
Coconut Rice to go with a Chicken Curry. Yum!
Elizabeth M
November 2, 2014 @ 11:56 pm
I’d prepare your delicious Chicken and Mushrrom Brown Rice and Lentil Risotto! After reading the recipe, I couldn’t control my salivating! It sounds so good, that I would just LOVE to prepare this myself!
Rachael Lorenz
November 3, 2014 @ 8:43 am
If I won this great prize,
I would actually love to try the recipe you have posted above.
However I would alter a few things. I would cook the rice with a green tea,
and add in the final moments fresh basil from the garden and a sprig of dill.
Emily Mclaughlan
November 3, 2014 @ 5:42 pm
i would love to take my family for dinner and get them something nice each my dad lost his jobs so chistmas will be hard
Alison Eglentals
November 3, 2014 @ 9:04 pm
I’d cook a yummy red thai curry!
Lisa Wilson
November 3, 2014 @ 10:19 pm
I’d cook a Thai Chicken Curry of a bed of fluffy rice
Jayne
November 4, 2014 @ 7:08 am
Looks amazing….. I wouldn’t have thought it could work if I’d just heard about it, but the pictures inspire!
Lorna M
November 9, 2014 @ 9:08 pm
Hi Agnes, thank you so much I am overwhelmed by this fantastic prize. I have replied your email with all the details. Thank you π
Lizzy
November 26, 2014 @ 1:52 pm
Hi Agnes, my prize arrived today – with 4.5kg of rice and lentils I can score those off my shopping list for a few weeks :-). I can’t wait to get started and it’s definitely rice for dinner tonight! Thanks so much for a great prize.
Nicole- Champagne and Chips
December 12, 2014 @ 11:40 am
Just commenting for comments sake but I really like this idea. I have seen these combos in the supermarket and been a bit sceptical because I thought the two ingredients would have wildly different cooking times so one part would end up mushy and one part undercooked. Fabulous idea.
Agnes
January 9, 2015 @ 9:12 pm
Hello – try it! I’ve been enjoying it. π They do have very different cooking times, but I like the mushyness of the lentils in contrast to the firmer brown rice.