New Year’s red rice

Ready in 1 hour, serves 6.

Red rice is a variety of rice where the “bran” is red in colour and only the outer husk has been removed. It has more bite than white rice and takes as long as brown rice to cook.

Red rice is believed to benefit the heart and blood, and features at Chinese New Year’s banquets. You can find it in the international section of the supermarket or at health food stores.

• 2 cups red rice
• 3 cups water
• 3 slices fresh ginger
• 1 spring onion (to decorate)

1. Place rice in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Soak for 30 minutes. This is important as it softens the rice before cooking.

2. When ready to cook, drain off the excess water before adding 3 cups of water and the ginger.

3. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a very gentle simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Remove from heat, keep lid on and leave the rice to steam for a further 10 minutes before serving. Decorate with sliced spring onion.

Cook’s tip:
For a flavour change, try replacing the ginger with two star anise.