“And roots, if they are to bear fruits, must be kept well in the soil of the land.” 

So are the wise words of Pearl S. Buck, author of The Good Earth. If I remember correctly, this is one of my sisters’ favorite Pearl S. Buck novels. While I wasn’t really into fictional stories, if they leaned on the side of history I was interested. It wasn’t until we checked out that old reel projector from the library and watched the black and white movie with Yul Brynnr that I was hooked. We watched that movie over and over again until it was time to check it back in… and it hooked me… deeply.

I still vividly remember when my mother would solemnly re-enact the words in her deep Yul-like voice, “Don’t sell the land.” It was a life lesson taught about when times are good and crops are plentiful it is easy to farm off the land. Then those inevitable years come along when water is scarce; disease takes root, or general hard times and poor health take their turns. Hang in there. Hang in there. Hang in there.

I am proud to create sponsored recipes for Riceland Foods, a farmer-owned agricultural marketing coop and the world’s largest miller and marketer of rice. Yes, you heard that right… the WORLD’S LARGEST! And based here in little ol’ Arkansas, since 1921. Generations after generation of Riceland farmers have produced fine quality rice.

Here’s a little virtual tour from the past year. Riceland rice is available, well… pretty much everywhere andonline. You’ll find their premium rice either under the Riceland brand name or private label.

Cheesy scrambled egg and brown rice breakfast bowl – January 2016

Quick and Easy rice porridge – January 2016

Tex-Mex burrito bowl – February 2016

Chicken Pot Pie – February 2016

Rice and leek stuffed sole – February 2016

Rice apple crisp – April 2016

Better than Boston baked beans – May 2016

Chili steak and rice wrap – May 2016

Dad’s best barbecue chicken – May 2016

Kabobs over yellow Riceland rice – May 2016

Ranch rice cheeseball – May 2016

Rice and black-eyed pea salad – May 2016

Baked chicken Marsala and rice casserole – August 2016

Ground beef stroganoff – September 2016

Broccoli and cheese rice cakes – October 2016

Spicy chicken and saffron rice one-pot – November 2016

(teaser! Post coming soon!) Beef and rice empanadas – December 2016

Eat well, my friends. Eat well.

 

Lyndi