Everyone has to take a stand on something. And I have two: well at least two that I can think of right now. First off, I will not buy garlic from China. There is lots of garlic grown right here in Ontario that can be found all over the city. And I just will not pay for garlic that has been flown here from across the world and comes from who knows what kind of growing conditions.
The second thing is that I will not make white rice. Again, why white rice instead of all things white? Simple. I like it, brown rice is way better than other brown foods. For instance, whole wheat pasta is not good, it’s edible but it’s not delicious. But I like brown rice. And brown rice is healthier and tastes way better as leftovers (especially with a little tahini dressing). And our family gets our fill of the white stuff from our copious amount of Asian take-out.
Now my kids don’t really care about the garlic thing. They don’t even know that they eat it. But they care about the rice. A bowl of brown rice is met with howls of protest and disgust. Why can’t we have white rice? Why aren’t you a good parent – According to my son, a good mother wants her kids to be happy, and if I make brown rice I obviously don’t want him to be happy, ergo I am a bad parent. (this kids is heading for a Master’s in philosophy). I’m not a total purist I put butter and salt on it. Even my husband grumbles at the beige rice. Even my nanny who loves rice more than anything in the world will not touch the brown rice.
So be it. I stumble on. I love the nuttiness and the little bounce back you get when you bite it and I can feel sanctimonious. And don’t kid yourself when it comes to parenting feeling sanctimonious is about as good as it gets.
But then tonight a miracle happened – ok it wasn’t not a vision from on high. I didn’t even notice it until I was putting the dishes in the dishwasher. But the kids’ bowls were empty. I was not flushing brown rice down the sink; I was not eating cold rice for dessert. They at it and they didn’t say anything. Not one negative comment. I have won! I only wish I could savour this victory, but I’m not a newbie I know that the brown rice peace accord will not last. And I’m a bit sorry there aren’t any leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
(And I know I don't have to say it, but in Whining and Dining, we reccomend soaking the rice for at least an hour before cooking and it cooks way faster. I personally use a rice cooker because I am a total idiot when it comes to rice but Fine Cooking has an oven method which a fellow foodie swears by -- I tried it and screwed it up but she is probably right).
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