Avoid Adulteration: Switch to Raindrops Basmati Rice

These days there are many reports indicating arsenic adulteration in rice which is being consumed in many countries. But we at Raindrops Basmati Rice produce and disseminate pure and adulteration-free basmati rice to our consumers. In fact our strict quality checking methods have ensured us to become the largest Basmati Rice processing company in the world. This truly shows the faith of the people in Raindrops Basmati Rice.

Still in the view of larger public interest, who are not consuming Raindrops Basmati Rice or do not know the source of their rice, we are suggesting some steps to check the adulteration in your rice.

Rinse Your Rice Thoroughly. Several studies indicate that “thoroughly rinsing rice until the water is clear (four to six changes of water) reduced the total arsenic content by up to approximately 25-30 %.”

Check Your Municipal Water Report. “Make sure your local water supply does not have high levels of arsenic,” says John Duxbury of Cornell University, who studies arsenic and rice. “If you do have high levels, washing can make it worse. But if you are under 10 parts per billion, it should help.”

Cook And Drain Your Rice sort of like pasta. “use about 6 parts water to 1 part rice and then drain off the water after it’s done.” Many reports say that studies show rinsing and cooking in excess water can reduce total arsenic levels by 50 to 60 percent. “However, it should be noted that for enriched rice, rinsing will also likely reduce the amount of added nutrients.

Choose Aromatic Rices. For those who are already fans of Indian basmati or to be more precise Raindrops Basmati Rice, the news is not so bad. According to the hundreds of recently released test results, aromatic rice varieties show the lowest levels of inorganic arsenic. Indian basmati and jasmine rices showed about half to one-eighth the level of arsenic as regular rices grown in the Southern U.S.

A Pricey Affair

Since I got married to Rahul, my friends used to tease me saying, my relationship with my husband is a “Pricey Affair”. It sounds funny but it is true. Not because I gave truckloads of dowry for the marriage or I had to spent a big amount during my marriage but because Rahul is a financial professional, a bank manager. So naturally his vocabulary consists most of the terms which are linked to finance and accounts, and I being commerce graduate hence a “Pricey Affair”.
Though I have never faced any major problem in our marriage but certainly one month in a year really gives me jitters. March, the most dreaded month for the financial professionals, when they have to calculate, streamline and submit a year’s financial figures and on top of filing income tax papers of the office are certainly a daunting task.
And naturally after returning from the office, Rahul never used to keep a good mood and patient during this month. But this year there is a different story as I have found a trump card. That’s Raindrops Basmati Rice. Now using the finest of the basmati rice, I have started making such nice recipes that not only tastes good but also fills the house with an amazing aroma. The moment he comes back from the office, he just forgets the work related tensions and look forwarded to having dinner. Naturally, after a good dinner he becomes as sweet as he is during other months. And the funniest thing because of this is, again we have been referred to as a couple with “Pricey Affair”, but this time not because of his profession but because of our sweet relationship, even in the most feared month of the year, which is certainly priceless.
Thank You Raindrops Basmati Rice!

REUNION OF THE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

My childhood was spent in the foothills of Himalayas. We used to live in a beautiful village which was surrounded by lush green vegetation on one side and slopes of the Himalayas on the other side. I still remember how I used to spent long hours playing in the shadow of the formidable mountains with my friends. Everything was so beautiful and cheerful about my childhood memories. But one thing which I used to miss the most was the aroma of the rice which used to grow in the fields of our village. The delicacies which used to be made from the rice of our village had a taste, which I miss even in the best of the restaurants in the cities, until recently my mother served me not just the same rice but the sweet memories of my childhood.

I was shocked by the aroma of the rice, as it was the same which I was missing in USA since we shifted after I got a job here. How did my mother managed to get the rice of our village in a country which is so far off from India! Before I could think further my mother sensed the coming question and placed a packet of rice in front of me. It was Raindrops Basmati Rice. I got my answer. I got my memories of the childhood. Thank you raindrops for getting the right rice from the right place of its origin.

Ambassador of Solidarity

Cross Cultural Marriages are really an exciting affair. And especially Intra-Asiatic marriages where marriages are not just a ritual but a celebration where members of both the sides of the groom and bride participate in a generally week long festivities associated with the wedding. But these celebrations turn funny and hilarious when the two sides belong to different countries and subsequent different cultures.

And I witnessed the same in my marriage in which my husband’s side came from japan and we the bride side welcomed them at the epicentre of culture in eastern India – Kolkata.

I and my husband tried our level best to mediate the communication between both the sides but as obvious it was not possible for us to be present with them all the time. Since the wedding day was approaching, we feared a confrontation between the two sides as they couldn’t understand each other nor communicate. But surprisingly nothing of such hostility took place, which was feared by us. And the reason was surprisingly interesting.

Actually it was rice which came to our rescue. Since rice is the staple food of both the countries, both the sides were comfortable and happy at the eating table. Since most of the confrontations take place during the meals at any given wedding, this was easily avoided here due to the similar easiness and acceptability of rice in the main course menu. Japanese were quite happy to know similarity between Indian and their rice cooking methods. In fact both the sides happily exchanged recipes of rice dishes and enjoyed cooking it too. Really, never knew rice can be an international ambassador of solidarity and joy.

Bhel Puri

Rice is not only served in the main course meals but it has other varied uses as well. One of the most popular uses of rice in snacks is Bhel Puri. This snack is not only popular among all the sections of the society but also healthy if cooked in a proper manner.

Bhel Puri is not only good in taste but also serves as a good food item which increases digestive functioning. Due to its property of light on the stomach it can be consumed at any time during the day. This popular street food is prepared with puffed rice, an assortment of chutneys, peanuts and crushed papdi and sev.

Bhel Puri Preparation:

In a wide bowl, add a tbsp each of green chutney and sweet chutney and a dash of garlic chutney (optional). Add 1 finely chopped onion, 1 finely chopped tomato, 1 chopped boiled potato, 1 1/2 tbsps chopped raw mango, 1/2 tbsp of chopped fresh coriander leaves, 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, salt to taste, 2 tbsps roasted peanuts and pinch of chili powder. Mix all the above ingredients well. Add 4-5 cups of puffed rice (murri/marmaralu/murmura/kurmura) and combine well. Garnish with crushed sev and papdi. Serve immediately.

Mexican Rice Balls

Ingredients:

• 5 cups cooked rice
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese, cut into 16 cubes
• oil, for frying
• flour, for coating
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten for dipping
• seasoned breadcrumbs, for coating

Directions:

1. Mix chilled rice, eggs, and peas together.
2. Roll into balls about the size of a tangerine and place one cube of cheese into the rice ball. Reform balls firmly to hold shape.

3. Place flour, egg and breadcrumbs into 3 separate bowls.
4. Dip each ball in flour, shaking off excess and reform if needed. Dip in egg, letting excess drip off, then dredge in bread crumbs, reforming and transfer to a sheet of wax paper. Repeat with remaining balls.
5. Meanwhile heat 2 inches of oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot until thermometer registers 350-360 degrees F. Working in batches of 4-6 balls, lower rice balls into oil with a slotted spoon and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Transfer with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Return oil to 350-360°F between batches.
6. Serve with a tomato sauce.

Another side of rice

You may not heard these about rice before. We though why not bring it to the platter for you 🙂

• Rice is the primary dietary staple for more than half of the world’s population.
• Instead of saying “How are you?” as a typical greeting, the Chinese ask “Have you had your rice today?”
• Asia, has more than 200 million rice farms
• Rice is grown in more than a hundred countries, with a total harvested area in 2009 of approximately 158 million hectares, producing more than 700 million tons annually. About 90% of the rice in the world is grown in Asia (nearly 640 million tons).
• In Thailand, men aren’t allowed to enter rice paddies because the deity Mae Posop, who is considered to be the ‘mother of rice’  resides in the rice fields.
• Rice grains in Japan are affectionately called ‘Little Buddhas’.
• One of the secrets to Chinese architecture under the Chinese Ming dynasty (1300-1600) can be found hidden in limestone. Rice, which adds strength and stability, was used in the walls of the city of Nanjing.
• In India, rice is the first meal that a wife serves to her husband after their marriage, but it is also the first food given to newborn babies, as it’s considered auspicious for future prosperity.
• Originating in Switzerland, pillows made of natural textiles stuffed with rice are an excellent aid for relieving back and neck pain. First heated up in the microwave, they are then positioned over the painful area.

 

Celebrated Chefs of India

Oscar Wilde, one of the most popular playwrights of England once said…  To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect. And this exactly what goes with the creative minds in the kitchen, when they visualize something and create something more unusual, which have brought countless smiles from generations. Yes, we are talking about the artists who have portrayed their artistic skills through culinary and cuisines, to whom we state as Chefs in fact the Master Chefs.

But unfortunately, despite chefs being artists or historians, as they carry with them from the centuries, the traditions and stories associated with cuisines, little is known about them collectively.

For the same, India’s two organisations, both leading in their discipline joined hands to fill this void. Times Group, India’s largest mass media company and Raindrops Basmati Rice, a product of REI Agro Ltd, world’s largest basmati rice processing company came together to give due respect to the Master Chefs and their art in the book ‘Celebrated Chefs of India‘. Authored by Marryam H. Reshii, the book interestingly covers not only the recipes but also many life stories about the celebrated chefs. This book also sheds light on the evolution of cooking in India by tracing some very old recipes from the times of Atharva Veda. No doubt, as soon as this book hit the stores, it became one of the top 10 best-selling books online. We are sure; even you would love to be among the proud owners of this compilation of culinary history.

 

Share with us your ‘Pyaar Ka Pulaav’ Moment!

There must be a moment of love that finally pushed all apprehensions aside, pulled the violins to play music in ears and confirmed that yes, you are in love. At Raindrops, we have decided to call that very moment as – ‘Pyaar ka Pulaav’ moment. And we are asking our Facebook fans and offline fans too to come and share with us the story when you started smelling the Pulaav being cooked between you two.

We are giving away couple rice packs as gifts and trying to give to every participant :)) Wow!! Now that’s some unusual about a contest.

All you need to do is share your Pyaar ka Pulaav moment along with a picture that defines the moment as well. Below are gist of entries received till now. Not sharing the complete story but of course the line that would tell you about the magical moment.

~ We kept meeting in summer vacations and once we realized that we like and love each other.

~ the first look that he gave me melted my heart…

~ The time we spent together was magical and could not be explained in words. And at that time We realized Bingo !!!

~ Aankhon se need udi… aur dil se gaya karaar, Tab samajh aaya ki… ho gaya hai mujhe Pyaar ka bukhaar !!

Just click the image above to participate and win the Couple Rice Packs!

Customer Interaction @ Big Bazaar

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