Rice Is Life

This recipe book would be a very useful and creative addition to any household. Rice is Life not only gives several unique and delicious recipes, the cookbook also illustrates many types of rice and how they are prepared and where the grains originate from. My favorite recipe was the breakfast sausage fried rice. It will definitely be a staple in my household on Sunday mornings.

There is enough variety within the recipes to satisfy any type of palate. Additionally, the majority of the dishes are reasonably healthy and nutrient dense. My only criticism would be several dishes include allergens. It would be nice to see alternative methods to some of the recipes.

Who doesn’t love rice in some form or another. It is so easy and versatile and yet sometimes it can be hard to figure out how to incorporate it into a dish. Rice is Life gives you the low down on everything from history and growing to preparation as well as tons of delicious and unconventional recipes. This cookbook would be a great addition to anyone’s kitchen.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is an interesting book!

There's information about the history of rice as well as information on how to grow it more sustainably and how it's grown around the world.

There are standard recipes for making rice, but Levine emphasizes that a lot of the techniques are up to your preference. The recipes are listed in both grams and ounces. There's a variety of interesting recipes from sweet to savory dishes made from rice. I would have liked some more pictures of the finished foods, but it's an interesting book.

I tend to go through phases with rice, and right now I've got a surplus of rice in my cabinet that I've been looking to use up in ways beyond just a side of rice, so I was all over this book!

Some gorgeous photography and a really clean layout, this book provides some history about rice, as well as information about different varietals. There is a good balance here of breakfast/meals/sides and even desserts! There are a lot of different rice types used, though many of the recipes provide some flexibility (ex. any short or medium grain rice). There are a lot of different flavor profiles and cuisines presented as well, such as Italy/Spain/Thailand/India etc. Just about every recipe is gluten free or easily made that way (eg. using a GF Tamari instead of soy sauce) and the majority are also vegetarian and pescatarian (there are a couple of meat recipes, but not many), with a number of vegan options as well. While not every recipe has a photo, most of them do, and they look delicious! I seriously bookmarked a ton of recipes, and I'm already contemplating buying some black rice for the first time! There's also a seriously delicious-looking chamomile & strawberry rice pudding that I think I'll be making shortly as strawberry season is upon us! Gorgeous, informative book, with some really interesting and tasty-looking recipes! Definitely one I'd recommend picking up is you're a fan of rice!

As someone who loves to cook but inevitably ends up eating rice probably six days a week, I can't help but feel this cookbook was meant for me.

Kimchi, rice, and eggs has been my go-to comfort meal for months. I now have 65 other preparations to choose from. I'm also substantially less intimidated by the idea of steaming sticky rice (mango sticky rice is one of my favorites, but steaming rice always seemed more trouble than it's worth). Much love for the stove top cooking chart since I do not own a rice cooker and my rice (while always delicious) can be kind of hit or miss on our stove, and the aptly-named "troubleshooting" page.

This glorious grain contains multitudes, and this cookbook outlines all the different types of rice, the many ways you can prepare these different types of rice (with emphasis on "but it's up to you" on most everything), and then recipes on top of it. I also really appreciated the pages detailing how rice is grown. The authors want you to think about the process as a whole, from their farms to your tables, and to think about where your rice comes from. I always like the reminder of how labor intensive it is, and how it should be appreciated. She also mentions this, how each grain of rice represents one worker's drop of sweat. Eat every grain, guys!

I learned so much about the humble rice grain from this cookbook! It begins with a thorough history of rice, how it’s grown and the many varieties, colors and best uses. There is a very complete instructional section on proper cooking of all the varieties of rice as well as equipment breakdown. And ending with a troubleshooting section for cooking perfect rice. I didn’t realize that the brown crusty rice in the bottom of my rice cooker was considered a delicacy and many cultures have a name for it. I guess I’ll think twice before scraping it out and throwing it away next time! This cookbook is full of stunning photos of recipes and rice fields from around the world. A few of the recipes I can’t wait to try are Spiced Lentil and Rice Shakshuka, Cheesy Crispy Rice Patties, Furikake Rice Balls and Scallion Rice Pancakes with dipping sauce. But there are many more recipes to keep the home cook busy in here. Thank you Netgalley, Chronicle Books and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I made the mistake of starting to read through this book before lunch one day, and very quickly had a grumbling stomach! The recipes all sound incredible, and I can't wait to try some of them. However, Rice is Life is more than just a cookbook. Levine and Lee include tons of information on different rice varieties, innovative growing techniques, and other info on rice. Who knew there was so much to this simple, humble grain!

The variety of recipes included in this cookbook do an excellent job of highlighting some of the many forms through which this much-loved grain is consumed. These selected dishes of course also satisfy an array of different mealtimes and taste preferences.

The book however goes even further. With its thorough overview provided in the very beginning, and how-tos and other written segments scattered throughout the book help make “Rice is Life” a delightfully informative read as well.

If I had to make one quibble, it’s that this book calls attention to rice’s limitations while trying to show off its versatility. There are quite a few cuisine styles covered here, plus some creative uses that were quite new to me personally. However, a lot of other dishes in this rice-centric cookbook were basically just different recipes served atop or with rice or rice noodles. Though like I just said, that’s more of a little observational quibble than anything else - not really a complaint, much less a deal-breaker. Because to be fair, to me at least a great deal of rice’s strength lies in the way in which it serves as the tasty foundation to many a meal.

So overall, “Rice is Life” has a great deal to enjoy, and this would make a more than fine addition to any rice-lover’s kitchen.

This book starts out by describing the different types of rice, where they are grown and how they are prepared. The authors have visited areas where rice is grown, built relationships with growers who are growing different types of unique rice sustainably, and they have introduced these rices to the American and international markets.

You will be shown the best way to cook differnt types of rice so they are sticky, separated or firm.

You will also find recipes for cooking different types of rice from all over the world. There are recipes for Lentil and rice Shakshuka, breakfast sausage fried rice, Furikake rice balls, Hand rolled sushi and many different types of rice pudding.

This is and absolute Lifesaver!! My family is heavy on rice dishes and this one is perfection. Thank you!!

Loved recipes in this cookbook! The photos were wonderfully done and the text style was different which caught my attention! Will me making many recipes from this book!

Beautiful pictures. Almost every recipe has one. I learned a lot about rice, its history and the many varieties. There is a lot of recipes, all different meals and different flavor profiles. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

This must be the most comprehensive book about rice ever written. Part textbook, part cookbook, it covers every aspect of rice from history, to modern cultivation, to water/rice ratio, to every single possible way to prepare it.

Interspersed within the textbook content are dozens of recipes that range from torta to sushi to soups and so much more. Experienced cooks looking to expand their knowledge about this most ancient of grains will savor every part of this book; cooks wanting to expand their repertoire of rice recipes will also find some excellent choices here.

Recommended for large library collections.

Be prepared to get hungry when looking at this cookbook.

In “Rice is Life,” writers Caryl Levine, Ken Lee, and Kristin Donnelly show that rice is anything but simple. They share dozens of recipes from around the world. And they go beyond providing instructions for delicious-looking rice and rice noodle dishes—they give helpful information like varieties of rice from different regions, tips on cooking rice, and common problems working with rice and how to solve them. I was impressed with the breadth and depth of knowledge contained here. As silly as it sounds, I’m most excited to try cooking fried rice using their recipe and special advice—it’s something I’ve never been able to master!

As educational as this book is, I do wish they included more recipes and food photography. I understand they may be trying to be more than just a cookbook, but isn’t that what we’re all here for?

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. My review was posted online on June 12, 2022 to Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4757642069.

I started reading this book and immediately ordered a copy for my personal collection. The pictures are nice and the recipes sound good. I haven't actually tried one yet but I'm excited to do so.

Rice is Life was a very descriptive book with all you could possibly want or need to know about rice. I learned about a few new types of rice that I hadn't previously thought I had heard of and I thought I was pretty well versed in the subject. There are wonderful options for recipes, many that I have never seen before. If you are a big fan of rice, this is a great book to pick up.

Loved this book! We are huge rice fans at our house so to come across a recipe book dedicated to rice is LIFE!

So many recipes I can't wait to try, especially Ken's simple fried rice. The recipes seem simple enough and the photography was great as well.

Great cover and Rice is life. The book covers this grain from all aspects of its form and purpose. Pretty much everything you wanted to learn about this grain.

What did I like? I liked that it teaches you about the variety of rice and how you can cook with it. White rice is a huge staple in our home so it was great to see some different recipes. This was a gorgeous cookbook. I’ll admit some of the rice recipes looked a bit daunting but still delicious.

Would I recommend or buy? I like the information given but so many of the recipes were rice that I don’t eat, or even seen. Still if your household loves rice it’s worth a good look. Many of the recipes have a Mediterranean feel. Five stars!

I received a complimentary copy to look at and voluntarily left this opinion!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author's for gifting me the ebook. Very interesting book. I had no idea there was so many different kinds of rice. The recipes look easy enough and I can't wait to try some. Very informative on how to cook rice and how to prepare it.

Excellent primer on rice. Lots of information about the various types of rice grown around the world and delicious recipes. If you have ever wondered how rice grows, this is the book for you.

I went into to this book looking for some new rice recipes and am pleasantly surprised I found a lot more! The photography for starters is absolutely beautiful; eye catching and vibrant! I’ve learned there’s a International Rice Research Institution dedicated to housing different species of rice and researching… RICE. How cool is that? There’s also or was at one point over 140,000 different types of rice! Here I was thinking we just had white, red and whole grain rice! Lovely recipes for every type of a rice lover and a plethora of knowledge!

As soon as I saw the cover of this book, I knew it was a book after my own heart! I always have bags of pre-made rice in my freezer to use as a base for meals and just knew I had to try this book out. It certainly did not disappoint!

There is a great variety of types of meals as well as global cuisines. Although the recipes are great and plentiful, I really enjoyed the background information on rice in general as well as the creation of their company (whose products I've used and loved for years).

My only complaint is that there need to be more photos with the recipes. I am a very visual person and strongly believe that every single recipe in a cookbook ought to have at least one photo. If the publisher would address that, I'd absolutely give this book a 5-star rating.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for an electronic review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rice Is Life is a wonderful cookbook about the staple food in so many countries. The recipes are mouthwatering and accompanying photographs are stunning. A very informative cookbook for anyone who loves rice and wants to learn more about it and recipes from a variety of countries. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Rice is a staple food for so many cultures around the world. This cookbook offers a wonderful variety of rice dishes from different cuisines. You can learn a lot about rice and how to make delicious rice dishes from this book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for providing this book for my honest review. I will be buying this beautiful work of art the minute it is available. I thought I would get an interesting cook book, but this is truly a work of art. The pictures from around the world celebrating a variety of cultures surrounding rice and how it is such an important part of so many cultures has to be my favorite thing about this book. The history of rice is well researched and so interesting. I had no clue there were so many varieties of rice. The recipes are also unique and delicious. I especially enjoyed the rice and egg section as that basic recipe is a staple in our house. I really appreciated the unique twists to a simple recipe like rice and eggs. I highly recommend this book to absolutely everyone. There is something for everyone in this beautiful book. Thank you again to NetGalley, the publisher, and author.

A combination cookbook and advertisement/essays on for their rice growing company Lotus Foods. Interesting combination and interesting to learn more about rice agriculture and impacts on people who produce it. The recipes are from a wide range of cuisines and seem to be many I will enjoy.

Rice is Life is a handbook for all things rice! Recipes are the meat of the book with beautiful photography and styling that will make you hungry. I was adding items to my online grocery cart as I scanned the recipes, especially the Forbidden Rice! Caryl and Ken started a company that imports rice varieties but they have done so much more. They have revived an interest in traditional varieties that were disappearing, supported renewal and environmentally friendly agriculture practices that make life easier on the small farmers in rural Asian and African areas, thus making the quality of life better for the farmers.

The book begins with a primer on the varieties of rice and its history. Special mention is made of how important rice has been to human history and how we have lost many varieties, and the abundant use of fresh water to grown the rice. The new rice agriculture supported by the authors and their company use less fresh water preserving it for human use. Chapters follow on eggs and rice, main rice dishes and desserts from all over the world.

This is an amazing book by amazing people!

I was drawn to this book because I love rice and I don’t really know how to cook rice well. Rice is Life is a comprehensive, informative, and inspiring book that covers rice in its many forms. I am walking away from this book ready to tackle rice!

The photography was gorgeous and inspiring - most, if not all, recipes had a photo! Some standouts include furikake rice balls, summer rice salad with tomatoes, corn, and roasted peppers, and chamomile rice pudding with roasted strawberries.

Get this book! It is well researched and beautifully made. Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC. Rice is Life is out 10/11/22.

Wow… I thought I knew everything there was about rice (not really, but I thought I I knew enough), but no. I learned things about rice that I had no idea about and I am so intrigued. So much, that I actually want to order a copy for myself when this book actually comes out.

Educational and practical. The recipes look delicious and simple. Can’t wait to try them out!!

Thank you NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the copy of Rice Is Life. I loved the history of rice and discussion about the different varieties. I also loved the pictures. I love rice and can’t wait to try some of these recipes. I will be buying a copy of this book to add to my collection!

This is a solid cookbook, there's a good balance of recipes and anecdotes, though I was not very interested in all of the talk about the business side of growing rice. The photos were great, and the diversity of recipes presented, both in terms of type of dish and country of origin/inspiration was good. At times it did feel like there was much more text than I would have expected, it would've been nice if there were more photos of the recipes included to balance it out.

I learned a lot about rice from this book. There are many varieties of rice. I didn't know the reasons for soaking or rinsing rice before reading this book. The recipes are great, though there were several where fish is a main ingredient that the recipe wouldn't be the same without. Those with fish allergies may want to know that. There are many non fish recipes in this book too. The pictures were also very well done.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

These people are rice nerds and I appreciate it. They have serious experience with the growing of rice which they both understand the business and human ethics behind the rice industries. All off the recipes were great and a lot of them are going on my to cook list. Some of the recipes were reaches and mainly some version of rice pudding. While I love rice, rice pudding isn't exactly up my alley.

Overall, this is a great book that takes inspiration from the many many cultures that consume rice.

i received an ARC of this book from netgalley and it left me hungry! i loved reading about all the different kinds of rice that are available and i loved seeing pictures of all the different kinds. rice is a simple ingredient that i feel is overlooked, but plays a very important roll in diets.

i can't wait to try some of the recipes! the pictures made me want to try the recipes even more. not every recipe has a picture, but the ingredients made it sound really interesting to want to cook. there are recipes for side dishes and main meals.

i grew up eating fried rice, so it was really interesting how ken lee creates fried rice. it's like arroz con gandules...everyone makes it different, but it's still "the same." i can't wait to create ken lee's fried rice.

Rice is Life isn't just your ordinary cook book. The book starts by asking the reader a question that guides the entire book: "What is rice?" What follows is a veritable feast - an clear but thorough description of rice and it's variations that shows us how passionate Levine and Lee are on the subject. I couldn't help but be swept along as well, learning more than a bit along the way. And it's not just the information that excites, the recipes are unique as well, elevating what is easy to consider a side or base into dozens of exciting dishes. From a cheesy rice based play on the classic Eggs Benedicts, to staples like Avgolemono (Greek Chicken and Rice soup) or Hianese Chicken and Rice, introductions to unique types of rice like sticky black rice in the Beet Rice Bowls with Avocado-Chickpea Spread, all the way to tasty treats in the form of a Horchata Milkshake or Chamomile Rice Pudding with Strawberries. There really is something for everyone here, for any meal and any diet. It was a joy to sit down, read through, and the get started cooking.

Wow. Who knew that a book about rice would be so intriguing and informative. I loved this book, the photos, the information on rice, history, and especially the recipes. I know have a newfound appreciation of rice. I enjoyed this book, and appreciate Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read and review.

Though I tried many different things I cannot download this book so I am unable to review it. I am so disappointed that most of the books I am interested in do not have a Kindle viewing option. I am an apple user and have an outdated iPad and though I have a new Mac Book Air neither support the NetGalley Shelf app. Though I have an iPhone it is hard to read a book on it due to some vision issues. Though I am more than happy to read and give an honest review of new books I am at a loss to do so..........

Very informative and in depth cook book. There are so many different types of rice that I had no idea about. I can't wait to try some of these recipes, which all look tasty and simple to make.

In their book, Rice is Life, authors Caryl Levine and Ken Lee, offer much more than just another recipe book (though the recipes are awesome too!). Levine and Lee begin with the history of many kinds of rice and their introduction to rice culture through their travels and the beginnings of their rice importing business of black “Forbidden” rice beginning in 1995 through their company, Lotus Foods. They also explain the ecological advances made in growing rice, explaining the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), which allows farmers to use an average of 25%-50% less water.
Beautiful photography are presented throughout, illustrating the rainbow of rice varieties available to modern cooks, as well as photos of rice-growers working in their fields. Stunning (and mouth-watering!) photos of many of the dishes presented will make readers eager to jump in and try some new dishes.
Rice-cooking is explained in detail, along with suggestions for finding your own preferred consistency, bearing in mind that each batch of rice you buy may require a slightly different water-to-rice ratio based on harvest and storage. There is a handy cooking chart to help make the process easier, with instructions for boiling, steaming, using a rice cooker, and pressure-cooking, and troubleshooting tips to improve your technique.
Recipes are separated into sections ranging from Rice & Eggs to Snacks & Soups, to Salads and Main Dishes, and of course Desserts. Ingredients are given in Imperial as well as metric quantities
With a focus on new methods to make rice growing a viable and economically productive process for farmers and for the world, as well as new ways to eat rice in our daily lives, by the end of this gorgeous book you will agree with Caryl Levine and Ken Lee that Rice IS Life!

Secret confession: I don't like rice. Or at least, I don't like cooking rice. This book has taught me how make rice and rice based dishes that actually taste good, and have the right texture. Well done!

An intriguing array of ways to prepare rice dishes to broaden one’s palette and make better and more varied use of this diet staple.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book.
This book gives a bit of history of rice along with the various types. I don’t think most people realize how many rice varieties there are. The System of Rice Intensification was interesting to read about and definitely better for the planet. There are several recipes that call for using left over rice, which is great. I like that there are more than just rice pudding recipes in the dessert section.The pictures throughout the book showcasing how rice is grown and dried along with the recipes was a nice touch. I enjoyed reading about the various rice farmers and their stories sprinkled throughout this book.
The pictures dispersed throughout the book were great. It’s cool that there’s so many types of rice. I think to most of us, rice is just a side dish instead of being the main dish. This was an interesting read. This book makes me want to try the different types of rice besides the usual ones we think of when we think of rice.

This was an interesting cookbook giving the history of rice and different types of rice and how to use and cook them. I liked that they explained the different types of rice from countries around the world and how they are used in those countries. There were also really helpful charts showing how to cook each type of rice and on the stovetop and in pressure cookers. There were many awesome recipes including desserts. I didn't realize rice was so versatile! I loved the photographs that accompanied the book. My favorite part was at the end, it gave you organizations to support their efforts. This would be a great gift for any rice lover or chef!


Thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for access to this ARC.

As a fan of Lotus Foods, I was excited to check out this new cookbook. It includes information about sustainable rice farming, which is more interesting than it sounds. The recipes look quite good, although I would have liked to see more substitutions or variations mentioned. Although I'm probably going to get a copy and make almost all the desserts (LOL, that's right, start with dessert!), I couldn't give 5 stars because there were a number of recipes without pictures. If you eat rice (have you had their rice ramen noodles? yum) or are interested in sustainable eating practices, this is for you.

I have always liked rice better than pasta, so Rice Is Life: Recipes and Stories Celebrating the World's Most Essential Grain
is a welcome cookbook to add to my collection. This is an excellent cookbook with more information than expected about rice. Not only does it cover many varieties of rice, it includes information on how it’s grown, how to cook different varieties, how to choose appliances, such as rice cookers and my favorite, Instant Pot or pressure cooker, to cook it (including time tables), and many recipes to use it. The authors have also included a troubleshooting chapter with helpful hints to eliminate mushy, overcooked, undercooked, sticky or scorched rice. This cookbook is an excellent choice for anyone who likes rice, which includes almost all of us.

The book includes beautiful photographs of not only most of the recipes, but also the landscape where it’s grown as well as the actual rice plants and areas where rice is grown. The photos are good enough that many readers will want to make something new every day with a new kind of rice.

The recipes are easy-to-follow and written in the traditional form so that both beginning and advanced cooks will have no problem preparing them. Included are appetizers, soups, side dishes, salads, main dishes and desserts calling for both rice and rice noodles. While many of the recipes have Asian roots, there are recipes from all over the globe.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

This is a wonderfully informative rice cookbook that includes beautiful photos, rice history, info on the types of rice, and plenty of recipes, including breakfasts, snacks, main dishes, and desserts. There's information on how to cook different types of rice, as well as a chart for Instant Pot/pressure cooker times. So helpful!

But...the best part is the recipes! From Spiced Lentil and Rice 'Shakshuka' to Jasmine Rice & Herb Salad to Rice & Black Beans with Coconut Milk & Thyme, everything looked (and sounded delicious). There are a lot of vegetarian recipes, and well as fish and seafood, and of course, the all important chicken and rice dishes.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!!

Rice is Life is not only a beautiful book featuring delectable recipes with gorgeous accompanying photos, it is also about rice and rice cultivation by two authors who obviously live by the mantra “Rice is Life”. Rice is a complex grain that has way more depth than the instant rice many grew up on. There are numerous varieties of rice found on nearly every continent, and come in a rainbow of colors and different textures and flavors, there are so many possibilities. Caryl Levine and Ken Lee have done a spectacular job with this collection. I’ve already purchased some of their “forbidden” black rice and can’t wait to try these recipes. There are recipes for everything from main dishes to deserts, and the ingredient lists are easily obtainable. Everyone from a kitchen novice to the most experienced chefs will enjoy this volume, and it’s the perfect edition to any kitchen bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and authors fir an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will definitely be purchasing a copy for my kitchen!

What a great book about one of our staple foods! I loved learning more about rice, growing, it, cooking it, and amazing recipes.

I had no idea there was so much to learn about rice! The beginning of this book is so informative about rice agriculture and it’s impact on the environment. I really enjoyed the exploration of the different kinds of rice and different methods of preparation. Best of all, the recipes look delicious and not overly complicated. I’ve only made one so far, but it was an utter delight. I will definitely be picking up a finished copy when this releases.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this book.
Is there anything better than the book just about rice?!
Rice is actually my life. I can eat any and kind rice. when I saw the title I knew this is the book for me.
This book gives insight about the history of rice and its varities found around the world. It gives various helpful tips and tricks from selection to cooking of rice.
Recipes given were diverse. steps were easy to follow. It also includes some beautiful pictures of the recipes as well as photos about rice production field.
Definitely gonna try some of these recipes.
Loved it!!

Rice is Life is part informational and part cookbook. It is full of beautiful photographs and contains a lot of interesting facts about the history and cultivation of rice around the world. Most of the recipes really appealed to me and I will definitely be trying some of them out. The only thing I didn't care for was that the authors' brand of rice was mentioned quite a bit. At times, it felt like a sales pitch for their product.

Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I received a free ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Wow! This book is so much more that I was expecting. Not only is it chock full of delicious recipes, but it tells the story of the grain and the individuals who cultivate these hidden treasures. The photography is absolutely gorgeous and each and every page has a new surprise. Very well done!

I based one of my college projects off the premise that food and specifically rice is a huge part of culture. We made a mini cookbook! So when I saw this cookbook I knew I had to take a look. And I was not disappointed.

Rice is Life is a cookbook about, well, rice. I know, shocker. But it's not just fried rice in here! The cookbook is split into 5 sections: Eggs and Rice; Snacks and Soups; Salads and Sides; Main Dishes; and Desserts.

The cookbook has a firm international flair. While sometimes I am very critical of this, it makes sense in this cookbook. As a Lotus Foods cookbook, this comes from a place of love and respect for rice, its growers, and its cultures. This is particularly evident in the introduction to the book and each of its sections. This isn't just some brand cookbook trying to sell you more Crisco. It tells you about rice history, culture, and innovation. One could wonder why a cookbook needs that, but I am not one of those people. This is how I prefer cookbooks. In my cookbook-buying adventures, I have purchased a number of lovely-looking cookbooks, but I almost never reach for the ones without anecdotes. (I do prefer to skip mommy and me blog stories if that tells you anything.) Also, if this cookbook with its internationally-inspired recipes didn't tell you anything about the cultures the recipes were inspired by, I'd be throwing a fit. Yes, I'm salty about the being made fun of for ethnic food as a kid but now that food is trendy trope.

I fully admit I haven't actually tried any of these recipes yet. It's not that they seem extremely technical or unappetizing. It's quite the opposite. The directions are clear (and I could gripe for hours about unclear recipe directions) and the flavors seem right up my alley. I'm simply too lazy to break out a recipe unless there are people around to try it.

I recommend this cookbook for anyone that likes rice and cookbooks. And if you don't like rice, what's wrong with you you probably wouldn't pick this up based on the title alone. Rice is Life by Caryl Levine, Ken Lee, and Kristin Donnelly comes out October 11, 2022. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This could have easily read like a giant advertisement for Lotus Foods. I mean, the founders of the company are here writing the book that shows how to use all their various products that they sell. THAT SAID, the book is careful to call for varieties of rice that you can find anywhere, even if you can't find the branded stuff locally, which I'd say is a smart move. Gone are the days where a company would print little cookbooks for you to figure out how to use more of their product.

As a recipe book, this does indeed stand on its own. As a RICE book, there's a ton of information about rice, how it's grown, its history, and lots of information about organic farming practices. As a rice recipe book, I'm docking a star, because there's a bunch of recipes that are just calling for rice noodles. Yeah, technically it IS made of rice, but it's not really what I think of when a book bills itself as a rice recipe book. Aside from that, the pictures, the information, and the general recipes are pretty straightforward to follow.

There is a reasonable variety of recipes here, although the recipes that they're using are specifically using the types of rice that they're importing/selling, and come from the regions where those grains are grown. For example, you're not seeing much calling for American long grain, or whatever generic long grain rice. There are several that call for basmati, and any of the Indian recipes are heavily centred on Northern Indian recipes, which is fine, but know what it is that you're going in on. However, in their defence, when they do call for their name brand black rice (forbidden rice), they tell you to substitute whatever other black rice that isn't sticky that you can get your hands on. Pretty cool, I'd say.

There's a ton of vegetarian recipes, but the vegan ones are light on the ground. It's fine, because pretty much any of the non vegan ingredients (except eggs) are pretty easy to substitute, and the recipes can be converted to vegan. For those who want it, there are meat and fish recipes as well that involve rice or rice noodles.

I tried several of the recipes in this book, which were quite enjoyable. Add to that beautiful pictures and detailed information that extols the goodness of all things rice.

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rice; a world food staple and one much taken for granted. Highly informative book. Recipes and preparation tips throughout this cookbook introduce you to unique varieties of rice worthy of a try. New methods of growing mean a more sustainable way to produce more. Excellent book on the topic.

Rice Is Life was not exactly what I was expecting when I requested to read this title--it was so much more! I learned plenty about the cultivation of rice in different parts of the world, as well as ethical and sustainable practices. I know more about a wide variety of rice types, and have orders on the way to try a few new-to-me varieties. The photography is gorgeous (though I do wish there were more photographs of the actual dishes of the recipes), and the layout suits the book itself quite well. I appreciated the *wide* variety of regional dishes presented in this book instead of just similar versions of overdone ones that we frequently see.


My thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the opportunity to preview this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rice really is life! I loved the variety of recipes in this book. There is truly a recipe or food style for everyone here. Pictures are good as well. I recommend for those who has rice as a daily food.

"Rice is Life" lives up to its name! I knew there was more variety of rice in the world than jasmine, basmati, and brown, but this book opened my eyes to how rice is consumed worldwide. The historical and cultural portions paired well with the recipes from different countries and created a beautiful, holistic narrative.

I loved the photography throughout the book and liked that the structure followed the traditional path from appetizers to mains to desserts. There was a lovely variety of recipes and none of them looked too hard for a home chef to follow.

Rice is life has a fantastic variety of recipes And is very well presented. All of the pictures are beautiful and truly displays the dish and makes it look appealing. It is a perfect companion to other books for side dish ideas.