Rice/4 recipes

Gruel bread: a rustic whole-wheat loaf built from leftover rice-and-vegetable gruel, no commercial yeast, risen overnight and baked dark. A zero-waste bread with deep, fermented flavor.

Philadelphia pepper pot soup with ham, leeks, onions, celery, tomatoes, rice, and bouillon, seasoned with pepper and simmered until the vegetables are tender. A quick, hearty American colonial-era soup.

Bright, tangy West African chicken-okra soup with lemon, tomatoes, turmeric, and rice simmered in one pot. A warming, nourishing bowl ready in about an hour.

Late-summer pepper rainbow soup with multicolored bell peppers floating in a lemon-and-egg-yolk thickened broth. Greek avgolemono technique meets a confetti of red, yellow, and green peppers.

Dairy-free potato leek soup pureed with brown rice for natural body and silkiness. No cream, no butter. A light French-style potage with a splash of white wine vinegar to brighten every spoonful.

Cream of chicken soup with wild rice made from scratch: homemade broth from a poached chicken, nutty wild rice, mushrooms, and a velvety roux finished with a splash of white wine. Northwoods comfort in a bowl.

Ship Wreck is an old-fashioned layered casserole with sliced potatoes, onions, ground beef, rice, and tomatoes baked covered for 90 minutes. Just layer, season, and let the oven do the work.

Crispy fried tofu served with a Thai-style peanut dipping sauce made from garlic, cilantro root, chili, and rice vinegar. A spicy, tangy vegetarian appetizer or snack ready in 25 minutes.

Microwave chicken with sauce supreme cooks a whole cut-up chicken in under 30 minutes, then gets coated in a cream-of-chicken soup sauce with parsley and pickled onions. A retro 1980s weeknight classic.

A comforting baked shrimp and rice casserole with cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and melted cheese on top. Easy to assemble and feeds six hungry people in about an hour.

Two-layered Thai steamed coconut cups with a dark brown sugar coconut base and a creamy white coconut cream topping. A traditional vegetarian Thai dessert made with rice flour, naturally gluten-free.

Hearty lentil and brown rice soup with carrots, tomatoes, thyme, and marjoram simmered in chicken broth. Finished with a splash of vinegar and grated Parmesan.

Traditional Persian tahdig rice with saffron, cinnamon, pistachios, golden raisins, and candied orange zest. Fluffy basmati on top, shatteringly crisp golden crust on the bottom.

Herbed brown rice pilaf sauteed with onions and garlic, then simmered with dill, thyme, and butter. A fragrant, nutty side dish with hands-off cooking.

My family, guests, and I were awed by this recipie's rich and flavorful taste! This was truly a hearty meal.

Squamish bars are Canadian three-layer no-bake squares with a peanut butter cereal base, vanilla buttercream filling, and a thin chocolate top. Freezer-friendly and built for potlucks.