Looking for new ways to express yourself in the kitchen? Then you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’ll be exploring 5 trending ingredients and looking at ways to add them to your favorite rice meals. From tempting desserts to savory dishes with fruit, we’ve got a bunch of recipes to kickstart your kitchen creativity.
Keeping up with New Trends in Cooking
Let’s face it: discovering new ways to experiment with flavors and ingredients is what makes cooking something we all feel passionate about. The culinary arts are an ever-evolving pursuit, meaning there are always new ideas to try out in the kitchen. These 5 trending ingredients will make great additions to your pantry. Best of all, we’ve got a bunch of enticing recipes to showcase using these very ingredients. So let’s get started!
1. Matcha: A Vibrant Green Tea Powder
Let’s start off with an ingredient that has become all the rage in recent years. Originally from Japan, matcha is a finely ground powder derived from Japanese green tea leaves. Known for its bright green color and earthy flavor, it works particularly well in traditional dessert recipes, such as this exquisite Matcha Rice Pudding with Raspberries and Maple Syrup. This trendy take on traditional rice pudding is made by simmering Carolina® Basmati Rice in milk with maple syrup and vanilla. Top it off with toasted coconut and fresh raspberries, and you’ve got a fragrant and unforgettable dessert, ideal for serving to guests at family gatherings.
2. Kimchi: A Korean Staple Taking the World by Storm
Kimchi is a popular Korean fermented dish made from napa cabbage and radishes, then seasoned with garlic, ginger, chili pepper, and salted seafood known as jeotgal. It’s famous for its spicy yet tangy flavor, as well as its probiotic properties. Great for boosting the flavor of dishes in relatively small portions, you can try it out for yourself by cooking this Bacon and Egg Kimchi Bowl with Carolina® Brown Rice.
3. Turmeric: A Warm and Earthy Spice
You probably have a small canister of turmeric in your pantry, but how often do you actually use it? Fans of Asian cuisine are no doubt familiar with its distinctive flavor, as it is often called for in pilaf recipes and curries. However, as people become more aware of its nutritional benefits, its popularity is increasing. Boasting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it also provides small amounts of vitamin B6, iron, potassium, and manganese. What’s more, it can be used to enhance a wide variety of dishes beyond Asian cuisine, as this Greek Chicken and Turmeric Rice Burrito amply demonstrates.
4: Seaweed
Here’s one trend you really don’t want to miss out on. A nutritional powerhouse, seaweed has long been a staple ingredient in Japanese cuisine. This recipe is for Authentic Japanese Temaki Hand Rolls with Carolina® Jasmine Rice. Bite-sized seaweed snacks are also becoming a popular side in many restaurants, as they offer the same crispiness as breadsticks but with more flavor. Our Salmon Fried Rice with Kimchi recipe recommends a side serving of seaweed snacks to give the meal an extra flavor dimension.
5. Plantains & Bananas in Savory Dishes
Finally, here’s a trend from the Caribbean that’s been steadily gaining momentum. Fried or dried, plantains and bananas have long been staples of the region’s cuisine. Adding sweetness to savory dishes, they offer a crispy counterpoint to recipes like this Ropa Vieja with Red Beans and Rice. Made with hearty and comforting Carolina® Ready-to-Heat Red Beans & Rice, this 20-minute meal is the ideal dish to experience this enticing flavor pairing.
Frequently Asked Questions about Adding Trending Ingredients to Rice Meals
Matcha adds color and earthy flavor, along with a moderate caffeine boost, which makes it a popular addition to many traditional dessert recipes.
To store fresh turmeric, wrap it in a paper towel and place it in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 weeks, or freeze it for extended storage. Keep turmeric powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot to help preserve its flavor and vibrant color.
Seaweeds like nori, wakame, and dulse are often eaten raw, but some varieties are softened or cooked to improve texture and make them easier to digest. Although cooking isn’t essential, it can enhance flavor and reduce chewiness.
Plantains and bananas add natural sweetness, creamy texture, and subtle depth that balance savory flavors and enhance the overall richness of rice dishes.
Home-Cooked Food with a Trendy Twist
Well, that just about wraps up our guide to using trending ingredients in rice meals. We hope that you’ve found something to inspire you among today’s featured recipes. For more culinary insight and recipe ideas, make sure to stop by our kitchen and see what’s cooking.