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4-H Virtual Recess: Rice - A Louisiana Staple

Ashley Powell

In Louisiana, rice is the top agricultural export. That means that more rice is sent out of our state than any other agricultural commodity. Louisiana grows rice on approximately 400,000 acres each year with the annual crop valued around $360 million. Rice production and processing accounts for thousands of jobs and approximately $200 million of economic value every year. Do you have rice fields in the parish you live in? 29 of the 64 parishes in Louisiana grow rice.

Rice can be a nutritious addition to your diet! According to MyPlate, a guide from the USDA for healthful eating habits, the 5 food groups are fruits, vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy. Who can guess what group rice belongs to? Rice belongs in the grain food group. This tiny, little grain is full of nutrients and essential vitamins and minerals. It helps supply our bodies with energy while being naturally free of sodium, cholesterol and gluten. Research shows that rice can play a role in our overall health. Brown rice is a whole grain because only the hull has been removed. White rice has the hull, bran and germ removed.

Parts of rice seed

Can you name the parts of a rice seed?

Word Bank:

  1. White Rice
  2. Hull
  3. Rice Germ
  4. Rice Bran

(See answers on bottom of this page.)


Rice without answersjpg

Squishy Stress Ball

Materials Needed:

  • 1 - 11 inch balloon, whole
  • 1 - 11 inch balloon, top cut off at neck of balloon
  • ¼ cup rice
  • Funnel

Directions:

Place funnel in neck of whole, intact balloon. Pour rice into funnel, filling the balloon. Blow very small amount of air into balloon (this helps it be squishy). Tie the balloon. Cover the tied balloon with the cut balloon (this is extra protection from busting). Squish the stress ball with your hand.


Ballon rice funneljpg

10 minute Fried Rice

Ingredients:

1 cup chicken broth
1 ⅓ cup instant rice
1 egg
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 small onion, diced
3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 cup frozen peas and carrots – optional

Directions:

  1. Bring chicken broth to boil in a saucepan.
  2. Optional: Add frozen peas and carrots and bring back to boil.
  3. Add instant rice, remove from heat and cover for 5 minutes.
  4. Heat butter over medium-high heat in a large nonstick pan.
  5. Add the egg and scramble it.
  6. Add onion and cook until clear; 3-5 minutes.
  7. Add rice/veggie mixture to the egg/onion mixture.
  8. Add soy sauce.
  9. Cook 3-4 minutes over medium-high heat.

Fried ricejpg

References:

Answer Key:

Answer keygifCompiled and Presented by Ashley Powell, Northeast Region 4-H Coordinator, Louisiana 4-H

3/30/2020 2:15:13 PM
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