Serves 4

Rice is one of the most versatile and inexpensive foods in the cupboard. Raw rice that is, not the prepackaged kind with seasonings already added. It takes the same 20 minutes to cook raw rice as it does to make the boxed version. And raw rice can be flavored to taste. The back of the rice package also has cooking suggestions.

Make this dish plain as the base for a salad or flavored with any dried herb seasonings such as Italian, Mexican or even curry to go with grilled meats or vegetables.1-tablespoon olive or vegetable oil.

1/2 onion, finely diced

1/2 teaspoon herb seasoning, as desired, to taste

1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste

1-cup raw rice

2 cups water or chicken stock

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan and add onion. Cook until it begins to soften, about 1 minute.

2. Add herbs, salt and rice. Stir until the grains are coated.

3. Add water, bring to a boil, cover, turn heat down to simmer and cook 20 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.

4. Remove from heat and let rest a few minutes with the lid on. Makes 3 cups.