On MST3K, there was a vague running gag about Mike liking plain white rice. I guess it was a shot at Mike’s supposed averageness.
But I had a combo plate at a Cuban restaurant yesterday that included a large helping of plain white rice. They always include a bowl of black beans to spoon over the rice, but for whatever reason, I forgot to do that, and ate most of the rice plain.
And you know what? It was FANTASTIC!
It was earthy and chewy and nutty tasting, It must’ve been cooked in water that had been salted to taste like seawater. Each mouthful sang an ode to austerity, saying all this is is rice, but it is enough. It needs no other condiment. To drown this noble simple flavor in gravy and sauces would be a sin. Eat this pure grain, my people. Eat and rejoice in what Uncle Ben or maybe Goya has brought you.
It was really good plain rice, is what I’m saying. It’s been awhile since I’ve had somerice that way, and I forgot how good it is.
Plain rice is good if you get a rice maker and do it right. I grew up on Minute Rice and it was just terrible and boring. Probably the kind of thing they are making fun of Mike for eating.
Now, I could just have some real rice and mix in some sriracha and peas and it’s basically a meal.
I mean … maybe? I like simplicity, but even with something like bread, give me a smear of butter on it and some salt. Doesn’t have to be fancy, but to really appreciate bread, I feel like I need a little somethin’ extraextra on it. Not much, but just something. I’m kind of the same way with rice. Sure, it’s good like a slice of freshly baked bread is good. But gimme a little fat to go with it.
