Student - October 8, 2009

CU @ the 'grain lane'

The annual Food4You festival celebrating healthy, tasty food runs from 7 to 11 October. Last year the potato was in the limelight; this year it's all about grain. A good choice: after all, who doesn't eat some form of grain at least once a day?

Wheat, rice, maize and other grains are staple foods all over the world. Even in the Netherlands, pasta, risotto and noodles are served more and more often instead of the traditional potatoes. Not to mention the grain that goes into the beer and other drinks we consume. If you are interested in the world of grain, head for the Graanlaan on Saturday. You'll find information not only about farming grains but also about how they taste and what you can make with them. I have no intention of growing wheat or maize. I'm more interested in getting some inspiration for cooking with an exotic grain. But for now, here's a different recipe with that same old rice.
HOT RICE SALAD WITH PESTO
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Ingredients for 4 people
225 ml Arborio rice
450 ml hot vegetable stock
1 pot of pesto
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper
4 finely chopped spring onions
25 grams grated Parmesan cheese
Optional: fresh basil leaves
Preparation
Mix one tablespoon of pesto into the rice so that all the grains are covered. Put the rice in a pan and stir in the stock. Bring it to the boil, put the lid on the pan and turn down the heat. Let the rice simmer for twenty minutes. When it is cooked, add the lemon juice, olive oil and another three tablespoons of pesto. Stir well and add pepper (and perhaps salt) to taste. Serve it up in an attractive bowl, garnished with basil leaves, the chopped spring onions and the Parmesan. Delicious with chicken or fish. /Arianne van Ballegooij

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