I agree that the information on the rice packages can be confusing. I guess I screwed up yesterday because I used brown minute rice. The ingred. listed parboiled whole grain brown rice so I figured that it was ok. I also have found conflicting information about the use of Basmati rice. My SB good fats/good carbs guide says no. This site lists it as ok on phase 2.
Could anyone tell me which is right. I really do love Basmati rice (and I can get the rest of the family to eat it without a fuss)
Sue

According to Dr. A, parboiled or precooked brown rice is ok, as long as there are no partially hydrogenated oils added.

Anyone looking up rice? I can later, but if you know...How about Jasmine rice? It is my all time favorite.

I loved the Alton Brown special on rice, which had me thinking about short/medium/long grains. I was able to find some of each size in brown rice at a local food co-op (Greenstar in Ithaca for Loriann ). Wonder if the difference in size/starch would make one of them more palatable for kids/DHs? I can't wait to try making risotto with the short grains...

Like Earthchild, I've grown to love brown rice. It's got such a great, nutty flavor! Try the baked kind with your families--the "buttery" flavor and the perfect consistency make it so tasty and very much unlike my previous experiences with brown rice that was still kind of hard.

Loriann, you are totally right about Wegman's! It, literally, was the reason I was finally convinced to move to this area (from L.A.)--even if I couldn't get my favorite ethnic cuisine, I knew I could make it at home with the ingredients from W's! Do you ever go to the one in Ithaca? It's incredible. When Ruthie makes it here for a visit, I'm definitely taking her there. Talk about a foodie's delight! Have you ever been to the one in Rochester? I haven't, but it's something I'd love to do. I'd also love to go to their Tastings restaurant. I always want to try a little bit of everything and it sounds like that's how it works there!

Ruth, TJ's definitely belongs on your Life List!!! It's DIVINE! I make pilgrimages to the closest ones on my vacations, but the best thing is having one right near you. They try new products all the time, but if they don't sell well right away, they disappear. So you never know what you might find! Last time I was there, I got some dried dragonfruit without any sugar or juice. I still haven't decided what I'll do with it, but I can't wait...dragonfruit is so good!

I'm in Richmond Virginia and it sounds like the Trader Joes will be opening in one of the newer malls,will be about 15 minutes from me, so that's good news! That will really be convenient!

Kathy,
Most people I know LOVE TJ's, but be prepared to spend $$$ the first few times you go. There are so many things that other stores don't have you will just have to have them. We buy most of our wine there also. They do wine tasting and they give descriptions on many of the wines about their flavors. They also have food tasting. We found some lovely mustards, sauces and cheeses from their tastings.
Karla

I can no longer find the Frozen Brown Rice at my Trader Joe's! I have looked twice in the past month, and it's not there anymore. It has been way too busy on both those trips to find an employee to ask. If it's been discontinued I will just DIE! Die, I tell you!

That's the problem with Trader Joe's. They get you hooked on something and then quit carrying it. I still miss my tuna burgers.

I usually make a huge pot of rice on a weekend and then freeze it....or Whole Foods has frozen rice....although it's MUCH more expensive than just cooking and freezing your own.

I GET THE brown rice in the bag. 60 seconds in the microwave and it's hot.

or we tried the wild rice tonite... NOT a family hit...

Gosh, Chickies. Cooking rice is easy. Why spend all the $$$ for frozen and pre-cooked? Sure it's convenient but cook a big batch and freeze portions.

(I'm a real Frugal Franny about prepared foods!)

Now Ruth, stop making sense!

Sorry! I'll crawl back under my rock. At least I didn't yell

FRANKENFOOD!

Because sometimes I want rice and don't even have time to make the big batch to freeze. I don't think anyone here is saying they use this stuff ALL the time--just to have on hand for those times we really need it.

I am very frugal (being 25 years old paying amortgage in one of the most expensive areas of the country doesn't leave me much choice), but sometimes my time is limited even more than my budget.