'Have you eaten your rice today?'

Kusherie (Brown Rice and Lentils) - Eygpt

Did you know that there are more than 40,000 varieties of rice?

I didn’t know that until I attended a class called “The International Flavor of Rice” at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cultural hall on May 28.
This class was one of a series to encourage people to store food, and to teach them how basic staples can be used.
A class featuring Dutch-oven cooking is planned for July.
We also learned from Ginger Haney, the instructor who researched the staple, that a common greeting in China is, “Have you eaten your rice today?”
Other tidbits I found on the Internet:
In China, at the beginning of the new year, people do not say, “Happy New Year!” but “May your rice never burn!”
In Taiwan, China, & Japan death is symbolized by chopsticks stuck into a mound of rice.
In Singapore, a good job is an iron rice bowl, and being out of a job, a broken rice bowl.
In Japan, auto titans are even rooted in the rice fields: Toyota means bountiful rice field and Honda means main rice field.
In Lao PDR and Thailand, the phrase for eating rice is synonymous with eating food.
Sources: W.W. Williams, "From Asia’s Good Earth," Hemispheres, December 1996. IRRI, Sustaining Food Security Beyond the Year 2000, Medium-Term Plan 1998-2000, 1997
From, “Rice and Japanese Culture” by Yoko Kano June 29, 2004 at Duke University “What do you Know About Asia.”
Out of the dozen or so dishes that were available to sample I chose just a few that I especially liked, and I invite you to share your favorites - just add them in the comments section or email them to me at angel@bmeagle.com.
Thai Chicken and Rice Soup
While this recipe does call for fish sauce, trust me, it is not even slightly fishy tasting - it just adds to the overall flavor, which is very good!

Coconut Rice - Brazil
Serve as a side dish with chicken, steak or pork - add pineapple chunks or slices if you like. Serves 4-6.

Arroz con Leche (Milk with Rice) - Peru
This recipe, submitted by Merry Henry of Mt. Vernon, would make a yummy dessert.

Kusherie (Brown Rice and Lentils) - Eygpt
Kathy Bates of Prairie City who prepared this dish said she made it with two onions instead of three and she used a gourmet-type of brown rice. It was delicious Kathy!