Do you think it’s weird that as a little girl, I would walk by the rice cooker in the afternoon and grab chunks of cold white rice to snack on? I’m not sure if that was a weird quirkiness (that made me so adorable) or something that other people would do growing up. There was just something so refreshing about those cold, starchy, mushy (yet firm) grains on a hot day that just really hit the spot. These days, I don’t snack on plain white rice much. First, my rice cooker kind of sucks and burns the bottom of ALL my rice, and second, ants have decided to climb up to the fourth floor of my building and have started using my kitchen as their own personal feeding ground. But getting back to rice. If you haven’t learned to appreciate the finer flavors of eating white rice, then I have a solution for you – Uncle Ben’s new flavored Whole Grain White Rice.
Available in 5 different flavors – Long Grain, Chicken, Sweet Tomato, Broccoli Cheddar, and Taco – Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice has all of the benefits of whole grain with the look and taste of white rice. With 160-210 calories per serving (depending on variety) and 4g of dietary fiber, it’s a great option for a flavorful side dish. Add in the fact that these all cook up in less than 20 minutes, makes it a viable option for busy meal times.
We had the opportunity to try the three flavors pictured above. The photos include a picture of the rice, plus the flavor packets that you mix in (along with 1 3/4 cup of water) to cook the rice. Then next to it is a picture of the cooked rice. To cook all of the rices, you add the ingredients into a pot, and then let the rice simmer for 10-12 minutes. For the flavored rices, the water and the flavor packets blend to create a smooth, almost creamy sauce. It’s important to remember that so you don’t cook out all the water from the sauce.
Sweet Tomato
The sweet tomato was my favorite of the three. You know how some microwave pastas have a very unique pasta sauce that tastes sweet and tomato-y at the same time? This rice tastes just like that. One tester though it tasted like they soaked the rice in honey and sugar, giving it a sweetness that was so nice, he would even it it as dessert! The sweetness is definitely there, but it isn’t too strong or overwhelming.
Taco
I was really impressed with how true to the name this rice tasted. It tastes just like the rice you would picture eating from a taco joint, filled with spices and authentic flavors, with a very mild heat following each bite, which probably comes from the red peppers and jalapenos that were mixed into that flavor packet.
Broccoli Cheddar
I thought it was interesting that the broccoli cheddar was the tamest of the three flavors we tried. You could taste the broccoli and the cheddar – I think the broccoli more-so than the cheddar. The flavors did blend, however it wasn’t “POW” in your face flavor. This would probably be better as a side dish for a meat that has strong flavors.
If you’re feeling more traditional when it comes to rice, and you don’t want all of the different flavors mixed in, then you can try Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice
You cook the long grain white rice the same as the flavored rices, with the exception that there is no flavor packet to add.
I’m not sure if I got impatient and didn’t allow the liquid of the rice to cook off long enough, but there was extra liquid at the bottom of the rice pot with the white rice. I poured out the water and was left with fluffy white rice. Sometimes I think that white rice has a sweetness to it, but this seemed to be more heartier than sweet.
Ultimately, the latest Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice offers many options for tasty side dishes, all which can be prepared in 10-12 minutes (with an additional 5 minutes for cooling for some.) High in fiber, low in fat, cholesterol free and preservative free, I can easily serve these rices to the family. One of our testers even though he would serve these as a side dish at Bible studies!
For more information about Uncle Ben’s and to learn about their new Whole Grain White Rice, visit www.unclebens.com. They also have a coupon available for 75¢ any two Uncle Ben’s products.
The WiC Project Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice Giveaway!
The Prize:
5 winners will receive one box of Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice – Long Grain and one box of my favorite flavor – Sweet Tomato.
To Enter:
- Visit www.unclebens.com and tell me in the comments below which flavor of Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice you’d like to try the most.
- For a bonus entry, subscribe to The WiC Project via reader or via email and leave a comment letting me know that you have.
The Rules:
Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST, August 17, 2010.
Visit our Giveaway Rules page for general giveaway rules that also apply to this giveaway.
Disclaimer: This post consists of my (and/or fellow tester) opinions only. No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive free samples of Uncle Ben’s from the manufacturer or representing PR agency to use and test for the purposes of this review. This did not affect the outcome of this review.
I'd like to try the chicken rice.
Herbed chicken long grain and wild rice. That and cold beer.
The Mexican Fiesta Rice sounds yummy, I would love to try that one.
taco style
I'd like to try the taco style the most!
Wic Project email subscriber
I would like to try the Broccoli Cheddar. Yum!
email subscriber
The Taco Style sounds great to me!
Alicia Webster
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Like the country rice..
sweet tomato sounds yummy;already a member
I like to try the chicken rice
I would love to try sweet tomato!
subcribed by email
I would love to try the Creamy Chicken Flavor.
[email protected](DOT)com
I am most eager to try the sweet tomato flavor. Thank you. 🙂
I'd like to try the broccoli cheddar!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy B.
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I subscribed to the WiC Project in RSS reader
Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy B.
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Creamy Chicken sounds good
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd like to try the Taco Style.
Already an email subscriber.
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I would go with taco-style.
I'd like to try the Sweet Tomato. Thanks.
I would like to try the Whole Grain Brown Rice.
The long grain and wild rice looks good.
I subscribe via google reader.
I'd like to try the herbed chicken long grain and wild rice.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm an email subscriber.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to try the Chicken flavor of Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain White Rice. All of them sound interesting, and I would like to try them.
Thank you,
Christine
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I am already a subscriber to The WiC Project via reader and via email.
Thank you,
Christine
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I would like to try the brocolli cheddar the most.
I subscribe to your blog's rss feed in a reader
I'd like to try the Chicken Rice.
I want Whole Grain White Rice Taco flavor
creamy chicken
taco for me
I'd like to try the taco style
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
i like the whole grain brown rice
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
e-mail subscriber
Herbed chicken long grain and wild rice
I would love to try the broccoli cheddar.:)
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I would love to try the broccoli cheddar.:)
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I think I'd like the Sweet Tomato flavor. I usually have the brown rice, but this would be a nice change of pace, thanks.
I subscribe via email.
i think there all good but i go with chicken i subcribe to your blog
I’d like to try the Broccoli Cheddar.
pkildow at gmail dot com
creamy chicken sound delish
the broccli cheddar
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
WHOLE GRAIN MEDLEY
Taco style sounds so yummy
I’d like to try the cajun style rice. Thanks for the chance.
The Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil sounds like the perfect side.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
I subscibe via email.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
I would like to try the Broccoli Cheddar.
I most want to try the Chicken flavor!
Rss subscriber through Google reader
I would like to try the Chicken Broccoli.
cajun style sounds interesting
My family’d love to try TACO STYLE:
(Bet if I made it they’d all smile!)
I would like to try the Taco Style.
Email subscriber.
The Sweet Tomato Rice would be my choice!
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the broccoli cheese one sounds yummy! polsen11atcomcastdotnet
I’d love to try this one – Taco Style!
barbara.montyj at gmail dot com
email subscriber
jessibear19(at)aol(dot)com
The Taco Style sounds yummy!
I’m an RSS subscriber.
barbara.montyj at gmail dot com
Herbed chicken long grain and wild rice, yummmmm!!!!!
Living in Texas i want to try the Taco one, its got to be good.
waitressdani (at) hotmail (dot) com
I’d really like to try the Taco Style.
neztep at aol dot com
I’d like to try the Taco Style.
I’d like to try the Broccoli Cheddar. thanks for the contest!
I subscribed by rss.
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The Mexican Fiesta Rice sounds like it would be great with enchiladas
I’d like to try the taco style rice.
Broccoli Cheddar
subscribed by email
email subscsriber
http://www.unclebens.com/rice/whole-grain-white-broccoli-cheddar.aspxthis one
a
the chicken rice would be delicious! suelee1998 @ gmail.com
I want to try the Brocolli Cheddar.
Yum Taco Style.
I would like the Taco
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
subscribe by email
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
Chicken
i want to try the cajun style
email subscriber
Creamy chicken sounds yum!
Follow you via RSS feed.
I’d like the broccli cheddar. It sounds yummy and healthy
I’d like to try the Broccoli Cheddar.
We eat a lot of Mexican food, so I’d like to try the Taco flavor.
The sweet tomato would probably be my first choice.
broccoli cheddar all the way!
The taco style
After what you said about the Sweet Tomato,I would HAVE to try it first!
Thanks!
I would like to try the taco
[email protected]o.com
subscriber
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