Rice is staple as staple can be to any Filipino’s diet. It’s something we look for whenever we sit down for a meal because a meal is not complete without it. I’ve even tried being on a no rice diet several times to lose weight and it would work for some time but after a while cravings for rice kicks in.
I’m glad I’ve discovered a healthy and yummy rice alternative — Rico Corn Rice.
Last March 22, 2014, I attended the launch of Rico Corn Rice through a family-oriented event at Clawdaddy’s in BGC.
Rico is a breakthrough new innovation. It’s a vitamin fortified, rice-shaped corn. Through my photo above, you can see that grains of Rico looks very similar to grains of rice. The only difference is that it is yellow. You don’t have to worry about artificial colors though. Rico has a natural yellow color because it is made from yellow corn.
And Because it is made from corn, it has a lower glycemic index making it ideal for diabetics and prediabetics. Rico is also perfect for those who want to lose weight because it makes you feel longer.
Glycemic index is the measure of how quickly blood glucose levels rise after eating a particular type of food. Lower glycemic index foods cause the blood glucose level to rise slower.
The event started with activities for the children. Ykaie joined the other kids and made a lion puppet using colored papers, glue, and brown bags.
She also had her face painted with the happy yellow corn!
Lunch opened a buffet that demonstrated how versatile Rico Corn Rice can be with different recipes.
We had Chips and Dips and Greens….
It was the first time I’ve seen cooked Rico Corn Rice. Indeed it has the look and mouthfeel of rice, making it a perfect partner to any viand or in making any dish such as this yummy Seafood Paella.
Other viands served were Fish and Ribs.
We also had Garlic Walnut Parsley Rico Corn Rice which is like a flavored fried rice.
The Garlic Walnut Parsley Rico Corn Rice is perfect with this Roasted Chicken. It was really appetizing to look at as well because of it’s bright yellow color.
Ykaie loved the Garlic Walnut Parsley Rico Corn Rice on top of her chips. It was kinda weird but it was really nice that she loved it because Rico is not only yummy, it is healthy too. It naturally has beta carotene (antioxidant), lutein (for better eyesight), Vitamin A (for healthier skin), folate (helps generation of new cells) and fiber (helps alleviate common digestive disorders). Rico is also fortified with B-Vitamins , Calcium and Iron.
Our dessert is also made from Rico. It’s like Arroz con Leche with pieces of mango. Since I have a sweet tooth, it’s my favorite among the Rico Corn Rice dishes that were served. I think I had two servings of this….
I find Rico Corn Rice to have a light corn taste adding to the flavor of any dish you make it into. It’s not an overpowering corn taste like the flavor the Japanese corn has. It more like just a hint of corn, this is because Rico made from Philippine corn, the kind of corn made into binatog.
After our sumptuous lunch, they showed us how easy it was to cook Rico through a cooking demo. Whether you’re using a rice cooker or a pot in the stove top, you just have to boil, pour, and simmer! You don’t have to wash it anymore like regular rice because it’s already clean.
- BOIL – You just have to simply boil the appropriate amount of water. (1 cup Rico = 1 ¼ cup water, 6 cups Rico and above = 1:1 ratio)
- POUR – When the water is already boiling pour the Rico in boiling water.
- SIMMER – Simmer for 10-15 minutes and it is done.
There was also a cooking demo on how to cook Rico into a fried rice. It’s actually just like cooking regular fried rice at home.
They made Corned Pork Fried Rice using La Filipina Corned Pork, a brand that is also from the same company as Rico.
You can buy Rico in 1Kg (₱70) and 5Kg (₱300) packs. It is currently available at Ever, Pioneer Supermarket, Landmark, Rustan’s and Sta. Lucia,via City Delivery and Hi-Top and soon to be available in all leading supermarkets.
Rico Corn Rice at HOME
Thanks to Rico for sending us with a kilo of Rico Corn Rice to try at home, I prepared this for breakfast the next day. Indeed it was very easy to prepare and it saved me the time of washing it before cooking.
I used this La Filipina Luncheon Meat to pair with the steamed corn rice and fried egg.
For lunch,the corn rice that was left in the rice cooker was turned in to this Vegetable Fried Rice and I paired it with Steak Skewers. I find it not only healthy and delicious but also very elegant to look at because of the color.
– See more at: http://www.mymomfriday.com/2014/04/a-new-healthy-rice-rico-corn-rice.html#sthash.96pCFW6B.dpuf
– See more at: http://www.mymomfriday.com/2014/04/a-new-healthy-rice-rico-corn-rice.html#sthash.96pCFW6B.dpuf
I do hope it becomes available in more groceries and supermarkets so more people can try this healthier alternative.
70 Responses
Now I’m wondering where I can get this as I want to try this too.
It is currently available at Ever, Pioneer Supermarket, Landmark, Rustan’s and Sta. Lucia,via City Delivery and Hi-Top and soon to be available in all leading supermarkets.
I hope it becomes available in more grocery stores too. I ‘d try it!! Your pictures are great.
Thanks Rosey!
It’s now available in all Rustans supermarket! 🙂
That rice corn is definitely interesting, now where do it find it here
It’s a healthier version of rice.. 🙂
this is truly new to me .. i wish i could try this. Is this already available in the major supermarkets? thanks
It is currently available at Ever, Pioneer Supermarket, Landmark, Rustan’s and Sta. Lucia,via City Delivery and Hi-Top and soon to be available in all leading supermarkets.
Gonna check on Friday if we already have this in Rustans supermarket here in Alabang. I love corn, and I think this will be a hit with me and the boys. 🙂
If you love corn then I’m sure you’ll love this!
That rice looks great and your daughter looks so cute there.
Thanks Michelle!
I like seafood paella and green salad. More to offer with this event.
Yeah, me too!
i crave!! whew that was really yummy! wish i can taste those!
Thanks Andrew!
I liked the array of foods that you’ve featured here. I think, steamed corn is the best, just a natural cooking.
Fried corn rice is great too!
I should not have looked at this! Now I am craving….everything. It all looks so yummy.
Thanks Denise!
i hope this is already available in Shopwise Supermarket. I want to try it…
I’m sure it will be available soon there..
aw does food make me miss pinas.. i love paella! its seems the food is very tasteful… can’t wait to be back.
The food at Clawdaddy’s are delicious!
Rico Corn Rice can really go well with different variants.
Yup. it tastes just like regular rice.
At first, Rico is a mixture of rice and corn, yun pala rice-shaped corn. Gwen loves corn! As in corn kernels lang minsan kinakain. I’ll definitely try this, meron pala sa Hitop.
have you tried it already??
What a great product! I’ve not heard of this — definitely need to check to see if it’s available in my supermarket. Thanks so much!
You’re welcome!
Ay wow, looks super yummy. I want to have a try too
Thanks Aisha!
New product? Wow, the corn rice is good to be incorporated in a lot of recipes. My mom would sure like to try it.
yes, it’s a new product that’s healthy.
that rico corn rice looks very yummy with its colours! its like that indian colour of the foods! I love rice though here at home we use brownrice
Yeah, I love the color too, it makes it look appetizing.
WOWWW.,!! looks so freekin good.,!!
Thanks Paolo!
I am practically drooling in my seat! Those foods look delicious!!!! O_O
Thanks Prince!
It may look like java rice from the first glance.. but I guess this one weighs more when it comes for nutrition concern 🙂
You are so correct!
i want to try this, that looks deli
I tried to limit my rice intake too in order to lose weight but I realized that I can’t live without rice so nor more diet for me. I think P70 per kilo is expensive but I guess healthy foods and products are really expensive.
the 5kg turns out to be 60 pesos per kilo. And you can try mixing it 50-50 with white rice too
Everything looks yummy! I would love to try this once it’s available na sa supermarket. I think it’s great for diet watchers.
Yeah, and for diabetics….
Oooh this is interesting! I’ll mention this to my husband. We had our run with brown rice before I got pregnant. But when I got pregnant na, I was craving for white rice!
This is a nice substitute to white rice because the texture is quite the same
I’d love to try this too! I’ve been on a no-rice diet too before but it didn’t really work on me. Also, my hubby eats lots of rice but he really needs to cut down on his intake. I’ll let him know about this. 🙂
I sure do hope you give this a try. I’m sure you’ll like it.
I wonder why the price is a bit higher when prices of corn are far more cheaper than rice.
I think because it’s processed.
oh how interesting. corn rice. that’s something I haven’t thought about as an alternative. Landmark/Rustan’s — hmmm, not so far sources. hope to try it soon
I’m sure you’ll like it!
Corn is quite heavy to digest. So be careful if it is your first time to eat corn rice, go easy on it, you might end up with tummy ache and indigestion.
Great tip! Thanks!
looks yummy and healthy. plus i love corn. i will look for this.
I’m sure you’ll love it!
We were there and yes, I love the dessert too!
Cheers!
This is something I should try to cook for hubby and son at home. I hope it’s available at Robinsons Supermarket.
I think it’s now available in Robinsons..
it will be available at Robinsons in early June. In the meantime, you can get it from Rustans, Landmark, Pioneer, Ever, Hi-Top or Sta Lucia. 🙂
Since we have diabetic tendencies in the family, we use brown rice instead of white rice. I’d love to try this one too. I’m curious about how it tastes.
It tastes really good, the faintest taste of corn.
I’m totally drooling right now! OMG! It’s mouth-watering.
i love reading your blog because it makes my stomach fill with sweet meals, i like this rice.
Thanks Daniel!