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My Souper Rice has bailed out dinner at my house countless times. I stumbled upon it when I needed something quick on the side, and now it's turned into our family's favorite comfort dish. What's great? You only need 15 minutes and a handful of basic ingredients for that smooth, tasty rice everybody craves.
Instant Comfort From Scratch
Ever have those evenings when you're craving something warm and filling but time isn't on your side? Here's your solution. I'm amazed how a few cupboard basics - instant rice, chicken soup, and broth - blend together into something that seems like it took hours to make.
Your Shopping List
- Chicken Broth: 1½ cups - I grab low sodium to manage the saltiness ourselves.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: 1 can - this gives that wonderful creaminess.
- Chicken Bouillon: 1 teaspoon - my trick for richer taste.
- Black Pepper: ⅛ teaspoon or to taste - we tend to go heavy on this.
- Instant Rice: 2 cups - white rice does the job perfectly.
- Parmesan: ⅓ cup - fresh grated lifts everything up.
- Parsley: If you want - I think it adds a nice fresh touch.
Cooking Together
- Mix Your Base
- Pick your go-to pot, stir the broth, soup, bouillon and pepper until they're well combined.
- Bring To Heat
- Crank it up to medium-high and wait for tiny bubbles to form around the edges.
- Mix In Key Ingredients
- Drop in your rice and Parmesan, mix thoroughly so all rice gets that tasty coating.
- Off-Heat Magic
- Cover with the lid, pull it off the burner, and let it sit for 5-8 minutes undisturbed.
- Ready For The Table
- Loosen with a fork, sprinkle some parsley if you're feeling fancy, and watch everyone rush to the table.
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Ideal For Hectic Evenings
This rice has become my fallback plan during those insane weeknights. While I'm focusing on the main course, this comes together almost by itself with minimal effort. My kids actually get excited when they spot me grabbing these ingredients.
Customize It
I often throw in some leftover shredded chicken and peas at the finish for a complete dish. Steamed broccoli works wonders too. My daughter goes crazy for extra cheese while my son loves when I add corn. You can adapt it so many ways.
Mind The Saltiness
I've figured out you need to watch the salt in this dish. The soup, bouillon, and broth already pack plenty of flavor. Go with low sodium options to start - you can always add salt later but taking it out isn't an option.
Creative Variations
When we want something different I'll toss in a bit of smoked paprika or some garlic powder. My husband can't get enough when I add a splash of hot sauce. Don't be scared to experiment with seasonings until you find what your family loves most.
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Nailing The Consistency
Want your rice super creamy? Just add a bit of half and half at the end. Looking for something lighter? Use less soup or more broth. After making this tons of times, I've learned it's pretty flexible and you can tweak it how you like.
Pairing Ideas
This goes perfectly with grilled chicken or roasted veggies. The creamy texture makes it ideal for soaking up sauces and gravies. A little fresh parsley on top gives it that restaurant-quality look.
Storing Extras
Any leftover rice stays good in the fridge for about three days. When you're warming it up, just add a little broth or water to bring back the creaminess. It makes for a fantastic lunch the next day.
Freezing Advice
Though I usually cook this fresh, you can freeze it if needed. The texture changes slightly but still tastes good. Just let it thaw in your fridge overnight and add some liquid when heating it up. I find that warming it slowly works best.
Common Questions
Folks often wonder if they can swap in regular rice, but stick with instant for this unless you want to totally change cooking times. For vegetarian friends, I suggest using veggie broth with cream of mushroom soup instead. And yes, adding some red pepper flakes gives it a wonderful kick.
Effortless Yet Impressive
This Souper Rice might be basic but it always brings smiles to the table. It's become that recipe my friends constantly ask about and my family wants weekly. Sometimes the simplest dishes end up being the ones we love most.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why use instant rice instead of regular?
- The method is tailored to the quicker cooking time and liquid ratio of instant rice. Regular rice would need extra water and take longer.
- → What's the reason for resting the rice off heat?
- It gives the rice a chance to soak up all the liquid evenly, so it’s tender without sticking or burning.
- → Should I season with extra salt?
- Probably not, since the soup and broth already add plenty of flavor. Taste it first before deciding to add more.
- → What’s the benefit of low sodium broth?
- Lower sodium keeps the dish from being overly salty since the soup and bouillon already contain plenty of seasoning.
- → Can I prepare this in advance?
- It’s best fresh, but you can reheat leftovers. Just add a splash of broth or water to keep it creamy.