15 Easy Budget Stretching Rice Dishes

Many Americans are struggling to stretch budgets when it comes to food. Around the

world rice is an inexpensive grain that has a wide range of uses in our kitchens. It is filling and can be used in a variety of dishes.

With 15 ways to fix rice this can stretch the budget once or twice per week without giving up taste and nutrition. Fried Rice is an easy and tasty way to enjoy rice. The rice dinners can take on the tastes of the seasonings be it sweet or spicy as well as a wide variety of other tastes.

Beef Stir Fry. Combine in a small bowl 2 tablespoons corn starch in 2 cups of old water and add 2 tablespoons soy sauce, mixing well and set aside. In a large skillet or rock stir fry 1 bunch chopped broccoli with 3medium carrots, julienned in a tablespoon oil until they begin to soften. Add a pound boneless beef that has been cut into strips and 3 cloves minced garlic, ½ teaspoon pepper and 2 tablespoons soy sauce. Cook until meat is done (no longer pink) and set aside. In the same pan stir fry 2 medium green peppers and 2 medium red peppers that have been cut into strips with 2 medium onions (halved and sliced) and 1 yellow summer squash, sliced. Cook these until they are crisp-tender, return the beef to the pan and add the cornstarch mixture to the pan. Cook and stir for 2 minutes, stir in a cup and a half of cashews and serve over hot cooked rice. This makes 7 servings which allows for a family of 4 to have leftovers for the adults to take "heat and serve" lunch to work the next day.

Rice can also be a side dish such as what could largely be home grown. Bring 3 ¾ cup water or broth to boil and stir in 2/3 cup wild rice and 2/3 cup long grained brown rice with ¾ teaspoon salt. Return to a boil then lower heat and cover, simmering for 40 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons margarine or butter and add a cup chopped red onion and ½ cup diced celery. Sauté until onion is golden brown, then add 2 medium tart apples that have been peeled, cored and diced and sauté another 5 minutes. Stir in the rice mixture and mix in 1/3 cup orange juice, 3 scallion greens that have been thinly sliced, ¼ cup currants, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon pepper, and sauté on low, stirring frequently for 5 minutes. If needed add a little more liquid if needed. Stir in 2 tablespoons minced parsley and ½ cup chopped pecans.

Rice can also be used for dessert as rice pudding or other sweet treats. Here are some ways to enjoy this nutritious and inexpensive grain:

Rice pudding

Tomato & Garlic Rice

Rice Fritters

Cheesy Mexican Rice

Mandarin Orange Rice & Shrimp Lettuce Wrap

Spicy Jalapeno Rice

Chocolate macaroon rice pudding

Louisiana Dirty Rice

Mint leaves rice

Spanish rice

Easy Rice Bake Casserole

Spicy Thai Chicken salad

Rice doesn't have to be bland or boring! Look at ethnic adventures in food like Indian, Chinese or Thai recipes. Save money, eat healthier and broaden culinary skills with rice in some of your meals!