Riviana Foods Inc. Adds Popular Aromatic Rice Varieties to Minute® Rice Line of Staple Products

Industry Leader in Instant Rice Category Expands Product Line to Include Two Globally-Inspired Varieties

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Jun 02, 2015, 07:17 ET

HOUSTON, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Riviana Foods Inc., America's leading rice company, announced today the launch of two new globally-inspired aromatic products to the Minute^® Rice family – Minute Thai Jasmine Rice and Minute Basmati Rice. Minute Rice products are developed to provide ease and convenience for consumers, and now, the two latest products bring the brand's trademark quality to the growing number of consumers looking for authentic, international flavors.

Riviana Foods Inc., America’s leading rice company, announced today the launch of two new globally-inspired aromatic products to the Minute® Rice family – Minute Thai Jasmine Rice and Minute Basmati Rice. Minute Rice products are developed to provide ease and convenience for consumers, and now, the two latest products bring the brand’s trademark quality to the growing number of consumers looking for authentic, international flavors.

Sweet and Spicy Apricot Chicken with the new Minute Thai Jasmine Rice

Summer Corn and Rice Salad with the new Minute Basmati Rice

Minute Thai Jasmine Rice is an aromatic long grain rice from the high plateaus of Thailand. For centuries, Jasmine Rice was cultivated for the royalty of the kingdom of Siam. When cooked, this fluffy, white rice has a sweet – yet subtle – buttery flavor and fragrant aroma, all very pleasing to the palate. Minute Thai Jasmine Rice uses only the finest Thai Hom Mali variety, which boasts an internationally renowned reputation for its superior quality and aroma. The taste of this rice goes perfectly with both Asian and traditional dishes.

Minute Basmati Rice, an aromatic long grain rice, is grown in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is known as the prince of rice because of its fragrance and distinctive, delicate and nutty flavor. The grains of Basmati Rice are long and slender when cooked and stay separate and fluffy once prepared. This rice is the perfect accompaniment for Asian, Middle Eastern and traditional dishes.

"We've listened to our customers and are thrilled to be able to offer them these two new products, which combine the same great quality and convenience that they've come to expect from Minute Rice with the distinct flavors and textures from the aromatic varieties," said Paul Galvani, Senior Vice President of Marketing, U.S, Riviana Foods Inc. "Jasmine and Basmati Rice are two of the most popular globally-inspired types of rice, and we hope that by offering them, our customers will be able to create even more versatile and unique recipes to share with their families, or plus up their families' favorite dishes."

The new Minute Thai Jasmine Rice and Minute Basmati Rice, which are extensions of the brand's flagship line, are packaged in pre-portioned bags for additional convenience. Gluten-free and with a cook time of 10 minutes, Minute Thai Jasmine Rice and Minute Basmati Rice are available in select stores located in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and New York.

The Riviana test kitchen developed an assortment of internationally-inspired recipes featuring the two new Minute aromatic products, showcasing inventive and deliciously satisfying ways to incorporate rice into different meal occasions. From quick salads to rice puddings and side dishes, there are a variety of Minute Rice recipes to appease consumers' global appetite. To learn more about the newest Minute Rice products, delicious recipe ideas and other varieties within the Minute Rice family of products, visit www.minuterice.com.

Sweet and Spicy Apricot Chicken with Minute Thai Jasmine Rice

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

2 bags Minute^® Thai Jasmine Rice
2 Tbsps olive oil, divided
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small strips
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 pkg (16 oz.) broccoli slaw
1/2 cup carrots, cut in matchstick strips
2 Tbsps light soy sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
3/4 cup apricot preserves
1/2 cup water

Cooking Directions

Prepare rice according to package directions.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium heat. Lightly season chicken with salt and pepper and add to pan. Stir frequently to break up chicken and cook until completely done, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. Turn heat to medium-high and add remaining oil. Add broccoli slaw and carrots; saute for about 3 minutes. Push vegetables aside and add soy sauce, spices, preserves and water to skillet. Stir in chicken, bring to boil and simmer to heat through.
Place rice in serving dish, make large well in center and pour chicken mixture into well.

Summer Corn and Rice Salad with Minute Basmati Rice

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

1 bag Minute^® Basmati Rice
1/2 cup vinaigrette dressing
1/2 cup minced fresh basil
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup red onion, diced
2 green onions, chopped
salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Cooking Directions

Prepare rice according to package directions. Cool.
In a medium bowl, combine dressing, basil, corn, tomatoes, and red and green onions.
Fold in rice.
Serve room temperature or chilled.
Stir in ideas: add diced fresh mango, ground cumin, or grated fresh ginger (optional)

About Minute^® Rice and Riviana Foods Inc.

Minute^® Rice is distributed by Riviana Foods Inc., one of America's largest processors, marketers and distributors of branded and private label rice products. Its principal brands include Minute®, Success®, Mahatma®, Carolina®, Comet®, Adolphus®, Blue Ribbon^® and Gourmet House^®. The company has been an industry leader since 1911.

Riviana Foods Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ebro Foods, S.A., the leading Spanish food group, with interests in rice and pasta products. It is the world leader in the rice sector and is the world's number two pasta manufacturer. Ebro's other subsidiary in the U.S., New World Pasta Company, offers such well-known brands as Healthy Harvest^® , Ronzoni^® , San Giorgio^® , Creamette^® , American Beauty^® , Skinner^® , No Yolks^® , Prince^® , Catelli^® and Lancia^® .

Join the Minute^® Rice community online at www.minuterice.com, www.facebook.com/MinuteRiceUS, www.pinterest.com/minutericepins, and follow them on Twitter and Instagram at www.twitter.com/MinuteRiceUS and www.instagram.com/MinuteRiceUS/.

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SOURCE Riviana Foods Inc.