Tasty Herb and Spice Brown Rice Balls
By Melissa Halas-Liang
Cancer Prevention Month is coming to an end, but good health can last all year with the healthy habits you’ve started now. These tasty, whole-grain balls can be batch-cooked and stored in the freezer for a fast anytime meal. Brown rice, garlic, and a variety of herbs and spices pack potent plant compounds studied for their role in cancer prevention, and these savory treats provide some fiber. Whip these up for a quick dinner or serve alongside fruit for a non-traditional breakfast.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Jasmine brown rice
- 3 garlic cloves, roasted and minced*
- 1 Tbsp. + 1/2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
- 1 dash salt
- 1 dash pepper
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. cumin
- 1/2 cup regular or gluten-free bread crumbs
- 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
Makes 8 servings. Yield: about 24 balls
Per serving: 240 calories, 5 g total fat (1.5 g. saturated fat), 41 g carbohydrate, 7 g protein, 2 g fiber, 150 mg sodium.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Directions
- Cook rice per package instructions.
- To roast garlic, place unpeeled heads of garlic in a tin foil bundle, drizzle with ½ teaspoon oil and wrap tightly. Roast in 350-degree oven for 30-40 minutes, or until soft when pressed. (Note: if you’re tight on time, mince the garlic and sauté with parsley and olive oil over medium heat.)
- In large bowl, mix cooked brown rice, egg and Parmesan cheese.
- Add parsley, salt, pepper, onion powder, and cumin. Roll mixture into small balls.
- Mix breadcrumbs and smoked paprika in another bowl.
- Roll the rice balls in the breadcrumbs mixture to coat.
- Heat remaining oil in a skillet over medium-low heat and cook the rice balls, turning to brown them on all the sides, about 15-20 minutes.
* Tip: you can roast the garlic earlier in the week when you are already using the oven.
About the Author
Melissa Halas-Liang is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes educator with a masters in nutrition education. She is founder of SuperKids Nutrition Inc (www.superkidsnutrition.com/healthykids), which partners with AICR on the Healthy Kids Today, Prevent Cancer Tomorrow Campaign.
Photo credit: by Melissa Halas-Liang.
Originally published on aicr.org and republished with permission.
