5 Summery Meals That Start with Rice
Soak up the sun (and sauce) with these recipes.
ByChristen Vidanovic
Published On
Welcome to Forkcast—our weekly meal plan with five recipes, a grocery list, and tips to keep dinner easy. This week’s lineup comes from writer, mother, and home chef Christen Vidanovic.
Most people don’t think of rice as a summer staple—but in warm climates around the world, it’s the backbone of many meals. From Italy to Indonesia, rice is a way to use up leftovers, soak up a good sauce, or round out a fresh, vibrant plate. I was lucky enough to spend 13 years of my life—my entire twenties and a bit of my late teens—living in Hawai‘i, where rice is more than a side dish; it’s part of daily life. Even now, it’s central in my kitchen. My daughter loves rice. I love rice. (I’m still mourning the rice cooker I had to toss due to its toxic nonstick coating—and yes, I’m on the hunt for a great stainless steel or ceramic replacement.)
This lineup celebrates rice in all its forms—crispy, creamy, herby, savory, and sweet. These dishes are flexible, flavorful, and ideal for early summer cooking, especially with a fridge full of farmers market produce.
The Plan
Breakfast: Breakfast Fried Rice
Savory, easy, and leftover-friendly—with a drippy egg on top, of course.
Photo by James Ransom
Featured Video
The star of this viral salad is spicy, crispy rice, with a supporting cast of herbs, tangy dressing, and a jammy egg.
Photo by Aubrie Pick
Summer on a plate: sweet corn, silky rice, seared tuna, and a little green heat.
Photo by nicolecooks
A cozy, herby twist when you want a break from soy sauce. Always a hit with my fam.
Photo by Ty Mecham
Soft, floral, and soothing—like a lullaby in dessert form.
Photo by James Ransom
Grocery List
Produce
- 2 ears corn
- 1 bunch basil
- 1 bunch cilantro or parsley
- 1–2 limes
- 1–2 radishes
- 1 jalapeño
- Garlic and onions or shallots
- Optional: Pickled vegetables or kimchi for breakfast rice
Dairy & Eggs
- 4–6 eggs
- Butter
- Parmesan or pecorino
- Plain yogurt (optional topping)
- Milk (for rice pudding)
Meat & Fish
- Tuna steaks (or sub another firm fish)
- Optional: Leftover meat or bacon for fried rice
Pantry
- White or jasmine rice (or brown if preferred)
- Olive oil
- Pesto (or ingredients to make your own)
- Sugar
- Rosewater
- Salt & pepper
- Soy sauce or tamari
- Rice vinegar
- Miso paste (optional)
- Chili crisp, sambal, or sriracha
The Pointers
- Cook your rice early: Leftover rice is the star of the show for many of these.
- Improvise at will: Breakfast fried rice is endlessly adaptable—add bacon, kimchi, or top with avocado.
- Think warm or cold: Pesto rice bowls work beautifully either way and make an excellent next-day lunch. Don’t be afraid to make pesto with whatever herbs you have on hand.
- Keep it simple: The risotto is one-pan and peak summer.
- Bonus Arancini: Have leftover risotto? Roll it into balls, stuff with cheese, fry them.
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