Brown Rice Pudding and Brown Rice Energy Bars

Ever had a season where you feel unmotivated?  Well, it's been almost 2 months since I wrote a blog.  Oooppsss.......
Seems when a person has other writing obligations that they get paid for, their own blog gets left in the dust.  Feeling the wheels turning again though.  Maybe it's the holidays, extra time on my hands with finals done, early anticipation of New Years resolutions or maybe it was just the brown rice.  Yes, I think it was the rice.  How can that motivate a dietitian/writer/food lover?  Good question.  When you turn "plain" brown rice into something delicious and unique like protein pudding.  Or using them as energy bars.  I love bars.

Let's say you make something the night before, like a stir fry, and have extra leftover brown rice.  What can you do with besides use it for leftovers?  You can use it for these 2 recipes!  If you don't have pre-cooked brown rice on hand, Hinode Rice  has a brown rice microwavable pouch that is really convenient and super fast.  I however used their sprouted brown rice for these recipes.

OK to start with, rice pudding is not on my list of favorite foods.  It's often too sweet for my taste and can be heavy.  However, the recipe below adds protein powder, chia seeds, fruit and NO ADDED SUGAR.  It's also gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, good source of fiber and omega 3's, antioxidants and healthy balance of carbs and protein.  Rock on.  Great for the kids, mornings, hot, cold or post workout.

Brown Rice Protein Pudding

Ingredients

Using my Ninja cooker

1 cup cooked brown rice
2 cups unsweetened soy or almond milk
1/4 c dried or fresh fruit, more for garnish (I used fresh pomegranate)
1 tsp organic vanilla extract

½ tsp ground cinnamon

1-2 tbsp chia seeds
1 scoop protein powder

Zest of orange (optional)

DIrections

1.      Add cooked rice, almond milk, vanilla, chia seeds and cinnamon in a pan. Bring to a boil stiring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Mixture will begin to thicken.

2.      Turn heat down and add protein powder and dried fruit.  Pudding is done when rice is tender and the mixture is the consistency of custard.

3.      Add fruit into rice pudding until heated through.  Top with light dusting of orange zest if using.

4.      Enjoy hot or cold for breakfast or as a healthy snack.

Number of Servings: 2-3

*Variations:

-Use fresh cut apples, add nutmeg with cinnamon

-Use fresh berries and add some fresh mint leaves

-Use chocolate protein powder, add in fresh minced ginger

 Brown Rice Energy Bars

Bars can be a quick snack on the go.  However, packaged bars can be expensive and filled with extra sugar, preservatives and artificial ingredients.  This bar is high fiber, good source of healthy fats and complex carbohydrates.  These bars are also gluten free.

Ingredients
  

1 c cooked brown rice

2/3 c toasted coconut flakes*

½ c nut butter

½ c ground flaxseed

1/4 c chocolate chips

1/3 c honey

1/3 c chopped nuts

¼ c dried fruit (I used dried cherries)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions

 

1.      Combine all ingredients in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed.

2.      Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

3.      Wet your hands and form into small bars, a little smaller than your palm.  Bars will be sticky.

4.      Store in refrigerator or freezer for best consistency.  You can wrap them individually and grab one at a time for a snack on the go.

Number of servings: 10

* Toast coconut flakes easily in a pan.  Stir constantly until flakes are light brown. 

If you were like me and seemingly staring at brown rice with no inspiration, look at it from a different angle or perspective.  It just might help you get out of a rut.