Low-Fat Festive Rice
A light and colorful rice dish featuring tender vegetables and flavorful sprinkles, perfect for festive occasions or healthy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium nonstick saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil.
- Add the converted long grain rice to the boiling broth.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in 4 tablespoons of Molly McButter flavor sprinkles, the dried parsley, broccoli florettes, and thin carrot slices.
- Cover and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes or until the broth is absorbed.
- Sprinkle with the remaining Molly McButter flavor sprinkles.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider sautéing the broccoli and carrots in a bit of olive oil before adding them to the rice. If you want a bit of protein, add some cooked chicken or shrimp to make this a main dish. You can also substitute the low-sodium chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
Serving Suggestions
This Low-Fat Festive Rice pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. You can also serve it alongside a fresh salad, such as Starving Artist Chicken Salad, to enhance the meal. For a vegetarian option, consider adding a side of G.G.'s Cold Cucumber Soup for a refreshing contrast.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, place the rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water to prevent drying out and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Low-Fat Festive Rice contains roughly 489 calories, with 34g protein, 89g carbohydrates, and 7g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (207% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (118% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 706mg per serving (31% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of converted long grain rice?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time. Brown rice typically takes about 40-45 minutes to cook, so be sure to check the liquid levels and adjust accordingly to ensure it cooks properly.
What other vegetables can I add to this recipe?
You can customize this dish with a variety of vegetables such as peas, corn, or asparagus. Just be mindful of the cooking times; add quicker-cooking veggies, like peas, during the last few minutes to retain their crispness.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This Low-Fat Festive Rice is ideal for meal prep. It holds up well in the fridge and is easy to reheat. Just portion it out into containers for a healthy lunch or dinner option throughout the week.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).