Dishes to go with rice
While it seems humble, rice is such an essential part of our diet. It has been a staple food for centuries, and continues to appear on our dinner tables alongside tasty side dishes from every cuisine.
That said, if you find yourself not wanting to repeat the same dishes, get inspired with these 10 delicious and well-balanced recipes that pair perfectly with a bowl of rice. Whether you prefer soup or stir-fry, these pairings will leave you full and satisfied.
1. Creamy Tomato Egg
Whether youre a newbie cook or simply want a fresh take on an egg and tomato dish, this recipe is definitely for you to try! While fresh tomatoes can be eaten raw, make the most of the nutrients by cooking them for an extra boost of health. The addition of aromatic paprika gives it a flavourful punch. We also add tomato ketchup to enhance the flavour and give it an irresistible umami. For the eggs, we add cream for richness and a thicker consistency.
This dish is simple, quick to whip up if youre in a hurry and goes perfectly well with rice! Serve with a soup for a complete and hearty dinner.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/chinese-tomato-eggs-rice/
Preparation time: 15 mins. Serves 1
2. Zi Char-Style Tender Beef with Ginger and Scallions
Skip the queue at the Zi char restaurant and wok-on with our Zi char style beef slices with ginger and scallion stir fry. With just some simple pantry ingredients, you too can master this favourite restaurant dish.
The slices of beef are marinated with delicious sauces such as oyster sauce, soy sauce and shaoxing wine for a glossy glaze, and complete with a generous amount of aromatic ginger. Garnish the dish with some chopped fresh scallions and its done! Its a highly addictive and impressive dish youll be proud to whip up and serve with a steaming bowl of rice.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/stir-fried-ginger-and-scallion-beef/
Preparation Time: 30 mins. Serves 3 to 4
3. Hot Plate Tofu
No hot plate? No worries! This classic dish can be easily replicated with your pan or wok.
The star of this dish is the silky smooth egg tofu which is sliced and fried to obtain a crispy coat on the outside, yet remain soft and creamy inside. Cook the eggs gently like crepe on a separate pan and top with the tofu, minced meat, juicy prawns and diced vegetables – of course with a delicious homemade sauce to drizzle on your rice.
For an extra burst of flavour, we recommend marinating the minced pork a few hours ahead of cook time. This dish only takes 30 minutes to put together, so get your rice cooking beforehand for perfect timing.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/chinese-home-style-egg-tofu/
Preparation Time: 30 mins. Serves 3 to 4
4. Old Cucumber Pork Rib Soup
For days where youre feeling greasy and bloated, perhaps a bowl of nourishing soup is in order. This recipe uses the best flavours and nutrition profiles of old cucumber and sweet corn, combined with chicken breasts, pork ribs and a handful of Chinese herbs. The herbs add nutrition, unmistakable sweetness and a hint of nostalgia.
The best method of cooking this dish is low and slow to extract all the goodness! Its comforting and warming and a perfect complement to your rice bowl. Pair with healthier-choice brown rice for the ultimate healthy dinner.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/old-cucumber-soup/
Preparation Time: 2 hours 15 mins Serves 3 to 4
5. Nyonya Ayam Buah Keluak
This Nyonya Ayam Buah Keluak may be a slightly more labour intensive dish to prepare but it is worth every effort, and definitely a dish to impress your guests!
The core ingredient is the buah keluak nut and it can be easily prepared ahead of time by soaking in water for a few days. The process helps to soften the flesh and ensure that it is safe to eat. The shells are used to stuff extra-decadent, juicy minced prawns and chicken, along with the homemade keluak paste. Be sure to blend the rempah and fry till fragrant or pecah minyak, which is when the oil splits from the spice paste!
Once the mouth-watering gravy is simmering, you can serve this Peranakan delicacy and scooping the gravy all over your rice.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/ayam-buah-keluak/
Preparation Time: 5 hours. Serves 3 to 4
6. Easy Stir Fry Beef and Broccoli
Sometimes, the most delicious dishes are the easiest to make, like this recipe for Stir Fry Beef and Broccolli. We add chilli padi for an extra kick, along with fermented black beans for an extra edge to the dish.
For the most tender beef, watch the video to learn how to tenderise it. This step goes before frying, and helps you get nice and crisp beef slices. You can also use the shallow-fry method to make it even crispier, or simply add the beef to the stir-fry at the end. Regardless, its full of flavour and definitely best eaten with rice!
Recipe:https://themeatmen.sg/stir-fried-beef-with-broccoli/
Preparation Time: 1 hour 30 mins. Serves 3 to 4
7. Taiwanese 3 Cup Chicken
Another hit and a favourite dish with rice, not many people know that this can be easily made at home and within 30 minutes!
For the chicken, we coat the pieces with corn flour and brown in a hot pan with chucks of ginger and garlic cloves, making it smell absolutely heavenly. After which, we add a good smattering of sauces and a touch of sugar to give it a rich, glossy and caramelised sauce packed with flavour. A bottle of Essence of Chicken is optional, but we recommend it for the taste and nutritional value. Once simmered for about 10 minutes, simply top with a handful of fresh basil for an aromatic, flavourful and juicy chicken dish.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/three-cup-chicken-with-essence-of-chicken/
Preparation time: 30 mins. Serves 3 to 4
8. Nyonya Chap Chye
This delicious mixed vegetable dish stew does not take too long to prepare as all the mixed vegetables and other flavourful ingredients are cooked in one pot or wok. To get the perfect Nonya Chap Chye, simply saute lots of minced garlic and tau cheow (fermented soy beans) before combining all the other ingredients.
Let this healthy dish stew and simmer gently before serving for the family to enjoy with rice. Chinese cabbage, glass noodles and black fungus are some options for this dish, but feel free to add the familys favourite vegetables too!
Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/nyonya-chap-chye/
Preparation time: 30 mins. Serves 5 to 6
9. Restaurant-Style Black Vinegar Pig Trotter
New mummies might know this Black Vinegar Pig Trotter dish as it is one of the most popular confinement period dishes. That said, it can be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone in the family. The succulent and collagen-laden braised pig trotter dish is built around rich and intense flavours of both sweet vinegar, black rice vinegar. The pork itself is first blanched and stir-fried with young ginger for an aromatic flavour.
This is not only a nutritious pick-me-up, but also seriously irresistible when paired with rice youll be asking for seconds!
Recipe: https://themeatmen.sg/pork-trotter-vinegar-confinement/
Preparation time: 1 hour 30 mins. Serves 4 to 6
10. Sesame Oil Chicken
If you prefer something light and easy to prepare, this Sesame Oil Chicken is a great option that also has a wide range of health and nutritional benefits. It combines sesame oil and ginger, two of the ingredients commonly used to boost energy and regain strength, with protein-filled chicken. While the dish can be made using most chicken parts, we recommend going with a high-quality cut like the thighs or drums to really make it pop. For an extra boost, you can even add some tonic to the dish and savour over a bowl of steaming white rice!
Recipe:http://themeatmen.sg/sesame-oil-chicken/
Preparation time: 30 mins. Serves 2
What to cook with rice
Rice is without a doubt, an essential part of our diet and a primary food source of energy for most of the worlds population. Whether its steam, boiled, fried or used in both sweet and savoury desserts, rice is indeed versatile and can be consumed at any time of the day. Never underestimate a bowl of plain rice – as humble as it may seem, rice is nutritious, inexpensive, and complementary to many dishes.
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