5 Easy Culinary Hacks to Make Your Regular Kanin Mouthwatering

Rice is a major part of the Filipino culinary identity.

No mealtime is complete without a side of steamed white rice- just ask any Pinoy! But actually, even the iconic kanin can still be improved.

There are tons of ways you can spice up your rice to make it more exciting- aside from making it into sinangag, of course.

Below are 5 clever ways you can breathe new life into your cup of kanin. No chef-level experience required. Just grab your plain white rice, let your creative juices flow and you’re ready to go!

1. Replace water with broth

Instead of boiling your rice grains with water, do it with chicken stock or beef broth to add a whole new flavor!

You can do this by making your own broth (boiling your choice of meat with your preferred seasoning) or you can just toss a bouillon cube into the rice cooker.

2. Sprinkle some herbs on top

You know those fancy-tasting herb rice dishes? Yep, you can do those at home! A lot of herbs pair well with rice, so you’ve got a wide range of choices to season your kanin with.

You can mix and match herbs to achieve a whole new tasty experience. Others even combine both broth and herbs with their rice, which results into an explosion of flavors you just can’t get with plain steamed kanin.

3. Add veggies for a healthy touch

Looking to add more fiber into your diet? You can do just that by adding vegetables to your rice!

It’s as easy as tossing in chopped or frozen veggies into your rice cooker. If you want a bit more flavor, your can cook the vegetables separately in a pan and combine them with the steamed rice after.

4. Roll it into a burrito

Another way to prepare your rice is to make your own version of a burrito. Burritos are one of the many creative ways to give regular steamed rice a creative twist.

To give you an idea for this one, check out this sisig burrito recipe made with CDO’s fan fave Highlands Gold Corned Beef. Not only is this recipe super easy to make, it’s also a combination of two stunning cuisines- Filipino and Mexican. If you’re one to explore new culinary adventures, CDO’s sisig burrito recipe is for you!

5. Turn your rice purple

No, you’re not going to add drops of food coloring. Purple rice is a very famous kanin variant in Korea, served frequently in restaurants and homes.

All you really need to do is add a tablespoon of black glutinous rice into your regular rice- whether that’s brown, red, or white. That small addition of glutinous rice can level up the flavor and consistency of your side dish in a jiffy.

And if you’re looking to complete the authentic Korean experience, try serving other awesome side dishes (like kimchi, dried seaweed, or seasoned spinach) with your purple rice.

Craving for more easy-peasy meals?

Rice is just one part of a whole meal- you need your ulam to complete the spread. For quick and simple ulam ideas, CDO’s recipe page. There you’ll find delicious dishes that need only the most affordable and accessible of ingredients.

Speaking of accessible, you can purchase CDO products from your nearest grocery stores. You may also order them online via CDO Home Delivery, Shopee, and Lazada.