For a sauce, gratin or another recipe with a creamy texture, choose an organic rice cooking preparation: it’s not rice to serve as a side. If you’ve already planned the main course and need a quick side, opt for ready-cooked organic rice and check how to reheat it. In either case, check the EU organic logo, product name and ingredients on the packaging of the product you choose.
For a sauce, quiche, gratin or savoury verrine, you need an ingredient to add to your recipe, not rice to serve on the plate. The rice preparations described by Bjorg and Auchan are designed for this purpose.
You’ve planned the main course and want ready-cooked organic rice that you can reheat. Auchan’s product listing for TODEI organic jasmine rice gives instructions for reheating it in the microwave or in a frying pan.
Before serving your guests, you’ll want to check the EU organic logo, ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for the exact product you’ve chosen.
First, decide whether the rice should be part of your recipe or served as a side. Then compare the labels of products that serve that purpose.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Certification and ingredients | The EU organic logo on the packaging, followed by the product name, ingredients and allergens. | If I’m hosting guests whose dietary requirements I need to know about, I want to be sure of exactly what I’m serving. Around 42% of consumers would put this check at the heart of their decision. |
| Role in the recipe | The words “cooking preparation” and the ingredients of the product intended for a sauce or gratin. | If I’m cooking the dish myself, I need an ingredient to add to a creamy preparation, not a side. This would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quick to serve | How to reheat the product and how long it takes, as well as whether the pack contains enough for your guests. | When the main course is ready, I’d rather spend less time on the side while still serving rice. Around 25% of consumers would make this their priority. |
The rice preparations described by Bjorg and Auchan are cooking ingredients, while TODEI ready-cooked jasmine rice is intended to be served as a side. They don’t serve the same purpose in a meal.
For a sauce or gratin, look for a rice cooking preparation. To serve rice as a side, choose ready-cooked rice and read the reheating instructions.
A product description is no substitute for checking the packaging. According to Agence Bio, the EU logo on the label certifies compliance with the European Union’s rules on organic farming.
Look for this logo on the product you’ve chosen, then read its name and ingredients to make sure it’s suitable for the recipe you have in mind.
A product being organic or plant-based doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about its ingredients for every guest. Instructions for storing it after opening also vary from one product to another.
Check your guests’ dietary requirements, the allergens listed on the label, and the storage and use-by instructions for the product you’ve chosen.
E.Leclerc’s product listing for Bio Village says its organic rice cooking preparation isn’t sold on the website and advises customers to contact their E.Leclerc store to check availability.
Check with the store or click-and-collect service before settling on your recipe, and have another product that serves the same purpose in mind.
Bjorg offers a 200 ml organic rice cooking preparation, which the brand describes as a plant-based cooking ingredient.
AUCHAN BIO Organic Rice Cooking Preparation is a plant-based cooking ingredient sold in three 20 cl cartons.
Bio Village offers UHT organic rice cooking preparation in three 20 cl cartons, intended to be used as a cooking ingredient.
TODEI ready-cooked organic jasmine rice comes in a 250 g pouch and is a side dish, rather than a pourable cooking ingredient.
Look for the EU organic logo on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. According to Agence Bio, it certifies that the product complies with the European Union’s rules on organic farming. Also read the product name to tell a rice cooking ingredient apart from ready-cooked rice.
No, not when it’s a pourable cooking preparation like the Bjorg and AUCHAN BIO products featured here. For a side, choose ready-cooked rice or rice that you can cook yourself.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product, as well as the quantity and storage instructions. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the label. Don’t assume a product is allergen-free just because it’s organic or plant-based.
Follow the instructions on the packaging, as they vary by product. Auchan’s product listing says its AUCHAN BIO Rice Cooking Preparation can be kept in the fridge for five days at between 0 °C and +6 °C, while the Bjorg product listing consulted says to use it within four days when refrigerated.
Auchan’s product listing gives microwave instructions: heat for two minutes at a medium power setting of 800 W, after opening the pouch slightly. Alternatively, heat it in a frying pan with water for three minutes. Handle the pouch carefully after heating to avoid burns.