Cream of Rice is a great hot cereal for all ages, it’s even gluten-free, but this porridge could use some punching up! Try these fun tricks to make Cream of Rice taste good!
For decades Cream of Rice has been warming up breakfast tables everywhere. It’s a simple and easy way to start your morning, but its flavor leaves something to be desired. Cream of Rice can set you up for success, but you must step up the flavor. Use these helpful ideas to make your next bowl of Cream of Rice taste good!
What is Cream of Rice?
Cream of Rice is a convenience product that compiles everything you need to make a delicious rice porridge. This dried product requires adding hot water to finish the hot cereal, but that is all that stands between you and a delicious gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free hot breakfast!
Cream of Rice has tons of nutrients, like calcium, iron, and vitamin D. It is also safe for virtually every restricted diet. The only thing holding this hot cereal back is the flavor. It is fairly bland and rice-like, so this cereal needs a glow-up to taste great!
How to Cook Cream of Rice
Cream of Rice is a dried instant cereal, so there is very little that you have to do to prepare it. Here is how to prepare Cream of Rice per the package instructions.
Measurements:
- Use ¼ cup of Cream of Rice for every 1 cup of water.
Stovetop Directions:
- Heat water on the stove over medium-low heat until boiling.
- Slowly add the Cream of Rice, stirring constantly.
- Return to boil, and reduce to simmer for 30-seconds or until thickened. Turn off the burner and enjoy the Cream of Rice hot.
Microwave Directions:
- Mix the Cream of Rice and water in a medium microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave for 1 minute, then stop and stir the cereal.
- Return the bowl to the microwave and continue cooking in short bursts until fully thickened, no more than 2 additional minutes. Enjoy the cereal while it’s hot.
How to Make Cream of Rice Taste Good
Cream of Rice is the perfect hot cereal for anyone with diet restrictions or anyone who just loves rice, but it definitely needs a boost to taste its best. Try these delicious ideas of ways to improve your cereal and make Cream of Rice taste good!
Fruit Frenzy!
Fruit is a fantastic way to bring some flavor to your Cream of Rice. There is no wrong way to add fruit to this cereal; from freeze-dried to fresh, any fruit will bring a bounty of flavor to this cereal. A few fresh stone fruit slices, like peach or nectarine, are great with warm porridge. Dried fruits like raisins and dried currants make beautiful additions to Cream of Rice, as well! They also sell mixed berry Cream of Rice on Amazon, which is super convenient.
Get Zesty!
A little citrus goes a long way, and you might be surprised how much depth and brightness you can have by simply zesting a citrus fruit into your cereal. A little orange zest in the morning’s Cream of Rice can transform a bland bowl into something bright and sunny! If the zest isn’t enough, also add a splash of citrus juice to the cereal.
Splash in Syrup!
Much like other warm cereals and porridges, Cream of Rice lacks a little sweetness. Adding some syrup can turn this basic bowl into something special. Next time you whip up Cream of Rice, stir some maple syrup into the finished bowl. It adds both sweetness and an interesting maple flavor. If maple is not your thing, try any flavored pancake syrup in your hot cereal. The sweetness and additional flavor totally revolutionize the rice cereal.
Sprinkle on the Spices!
Spice is the spice of life. No dish is complete without a few seasonings, which goes double for Cream of Rice. This cereal is beautifully simple so that anyone can eat it, but that leaves a lot of flavor on the table.
You cannot go wrong adding spices to your hot cereal. Warm spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and anise work very well in Cream of Rice, but there is no wrong way to spice things up. Punch up this porridge with a little ginger and brown sugar for a warm and sweet take on cereal.
Is Cream of Rice and Cream of Wheat the Same Food?
No, they are not. While both hot cereal products are made by the same company, they are not identical. Cream of Rice uses naturally gluten-free rice, making it safe for most diets, whereas Cream of Wheat uses wheat and therefore has gluten.
Final Thoughts
Diving into a warm bowl of Cream of Rice can be just the thing to bring a little comfort to your morning, but how do you jazz it up? Use these fun ideas to help bring some sass to your cereal. Go wild and use your culinary creativity along with this guide to build a beautiful bowl. Have fun and enjoy the bounty of your efforts because there is nothing as sweet as a meal you craft from the heart.