Food and Beverage
Think Inside the Bowl: Quick ideas for busy season meals
Think Think Inside the Bowl: Rice bowls are quick, nutritious meal solutions for busy individuals. They offer customization, balanced nutrition, and simple preparation, with options like a Rice and Beans Burrito Bowl and Quick Bibimbap.
Last Updated on October 24, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Think Inside the Bowl: Quick ideas for busy season meals
(Family Features) When life gets hectic, eating well can get pushed to the bottom of your to-do list. A go-to meal option due to their simplicity, versatility and nutritional benefits, rice bowls provide a convenient and satisfying solution for parents, students and busy professionals juggling multiple responsibilities.
During busy season, they can be prepared quickly and are easy to customize to suit different taste preferences and dietary needs. Typically offering a balanced mix of carbohydrates, protein and vegetables, they ensure you and your loved ones get a wholesome meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
For example, this Rice and Beans Burrito Bowl offers a burst of Southwestern flavor in just 10 minutes. Featuring the zesty and natural flavors of Minute’s Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice Cups, it’s a canvas for creativity complete with juicy pinto beans, crisp corn and a vibrant mix of salsa. Ready in 1 minute, the BPA-free microwaveable cups are perfectly portioned and can be enjoyed as a meal right out of the container when crunched for time.
To customize your culinary creation, simply adjust the heat to your liking with a sprinkle of ancho chili powder or add a touch of creaminess with a generous helping of guacamole, dollop of sour cream or sprinkle of shredded cheese. To further transform your meal into a festive feast, pair your bowl with grilled chicken, tofu or a fresh green salad.
Or for a Korean twist, consider this Quick Bibimbap. Derived from the Korean terms “bibim,” which refers to mixing multiple ingredients, and “bap,” meaning rice, it starts with jasmine rice and is topped with kimchi, carrots, sauteed spinach, bean sprouts and a fried egg.
The dish, which is prepped and ready in 20 minutes, can be further customized with sauteed mushrooms, tofu, seared beef, pickled cucumbers and more, but sweet, buttery Minute Instant Jasmine Rice provides the fragrant, fluffy base. Ready in 5 minutes and known for its distinctive aromatic scent, it’s precooked then dried with nothing added but convenience so you can get a tasty meal made quickly.
Visit MinuteRice.com to find more meal ideas to conquer busy season.
Rice and Beans Burrito Bowl
Rice and Beans Burrito Bowl
Prep time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1
- 1 Minute Cilantro & Lime Jasmine Rice Cup
- 1/4 cup canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup fresh or canned corn
- 1/4 cup prepared salsa
- 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder (optional)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1/2 avocado, sliced (optional)
- 1/2 tablespoon cilantro, chopped (optional)
- tortilla chips
- Heat rice according to package directions.
- In medium, microwave-safe bowl, combine beans, corn, salsa and chili powder, if desired.
- Microwave on high 1 minute.
- Mix in rice. Place lettuce in bowl and top with rice and beans mixture. Garnish with sour cream, avocado and chopped cilantro, if desired.
- Serve with tortilla chips.

Quick Bibimbap
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 2 cups Minute Instant Jasmine Rice
- 1/4 cup canola oil, divided
- 8 cups baby spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 teaspoons soy sauce
- 4 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1 cup prepared kimchi, chopped
- 4 eggs, fried
- 4 teaspoons Sriracha
- 4 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted
- Prepare rice according to package directions.
- In large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Saute spinach, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper 3-5 minutes, or until spinach is wilted. Transfer to bowl and keep warm.
- Wipe out skillet. Heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Stir-fry rice 3-5 minutes, or until slightly crisp. Stir in soy sauce and vinegar.
- Divide rice among four bowls. Top each serving with bean sprouts, carrots, kimchi and one fried egg. Drizzle with Sriracha and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
SOURCE:
Food
Have a ‘Hoppy’ Easter with a Holiday Ham
Last Updated on April 4, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Feature Impact) When your kitchen is full of colorful eggs, candy baskets, tempting sweets and all that comes with Easter, sometimes a holiday classic is just the answer for simplifying the season. Perfect for pairing with deviled eggs, potato salad and a traditional Sunday feast, this Maple-Glazed Easter Ham provides a hands-off approach to the main dish.
With an easily prepared glaze and your oven doing most of the work, you can keep your attention on time spent with loved ones. Visit Culinary.net to find more seasonal favorites, both classic and contemporary.
Maple-Glazed Easter Ham
Recipe adapted from Southern Living
Total time: 3 hours
Servings: 10
- 1 bone-in spiral-cut ham (8-9 pounds)
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) bourbon
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- orange slices and wedges, for garnish
- fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Place ham in large roasting pan and fill with 1/2 inch of water. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake about 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with juices from pan, until meat registers 120 F at thickest portion.
- In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stir maple syrup, brown sugar, bourbon, ginger and cinnamon; bring to boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover to keep warm and set aside.
- Remove ham from oven and discard foil. Increase oven temperature to 400 F. Using pastry brush, glaze ham with 1/3 cup maple-bourbon mixture.
- Bake ham about 30 minutes until top is lightly caramelized and meat registers 145 F at thickest portion, brushing with remaining glaze every 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and transfer ham to serving platter. Let rest 15 minutes and garnish with orange slices, orange wedges and rosemary sprigs.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
![]()
SOURCE:
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
Food
🌯 Fun Fact: When Is National Burrito Day?

If you needed a reason to celebrate your favorite wrapped meal, here it is.
National Burrito Day is observed every year on the first Thursday of April—a moving food holiday that always lands just in time to kick off spring cravings.
In 2026, National Burrito Day fell on April 2, giving burrito lovers across the U.S. the perfect midweek excuse to indulge.
A Quick Bite of History
While the burrito itself has deep roots in Mexican cuisine, the modern celebration of National Burrito Day is largely driven by restaurants and food brands that turned it into an annual event—complete with deals, giveaways, and social media buzz.
Today, it’s widely embraced by chains like Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba Mexican Eats, along with local taquerías that join in the celebration.
Why It Matters (Beyond the Food)
National Burrito Day is more than just a marketing holiday—it reflects how a simple, portable dish became a staple of American food culture.
From classic bean-and-cheese to fully loaded carne asada burritos, the options are endless—and so are the reasons to celebrate.
External Related Reading
- National Day Calendar: National Burrito Day
- Smithsonian Magazine: A Brief History of the Burrito
- Chipotle Mexican Grill – Official Website
- Qdoba Mexican Eats – Official Website
Related Reading
recipes
Lighten Up: Fresh Spring Meals That Won’t Weigh You Down
Prepare your fresh spring menu with light, flavorful dishes like shrimp pearl couscous salad and chickpea couscous—perfect for easy, satisfying meals without the heaviness.

Lighten Up: Fresh Spring Meals That Won’t Weigh You Down
(Feature Impact) Put away the heavy coats and break out the rain jackets and rubber boots – spring is here, and with it comes more than just pop-up showers and sunshine. After months of comfort foods and curling up indoors, you may be ready for lighter meals that won’t weigh you down before splashing in the puddles.
Fresh produce may first come to mind, but spring bites can also mean swapping out ingredients like regular pasta for a solution such as pearl couscous. If you’re looking to complement greens, veggies, fish or meats with light yet filling flavor, consider Success Boil-in-Bag Pearl Couscous, a small, mediterranean-style pasta that always cooks right and is ready to eat in under 7 minutes once the water boils. The BPA-free boil-in-bag simplicity makes cooking easy and foolproof: no measure, no mess, no stress.
Made with high-quality semolina wheat, it features a slightly nutty flavor on its own while absorbing the flavors of salads while retaining its density and chewy texture. It’s distinguished from traditional Moroccan couscous by its slightly larger, rounder shape and less dense, firmer consistency.
Try it with your next meal in this protein-forward Shrimp Pearl Couscous Salad, made using fresh herbs, citrus, seasoned shrimp and chickpeas for a jam-packed salad that screams spring. Never boring, the tender, seasoned couscous and shrimp, veggies and aromatic herbs can bring your family running to the kitchen after a day of play.
Or, for an even simpler dish that requires just 15 minutes in the kitchen, this Pearl Couscous and Chickpea Salad is light, bright and bursting with flavor. It brings together tender pearl couscous, crisp veggies and za’atar in every bite.
To find more light spring recipe ideas, visit SuccessRice.com.
Shrimp Pearl Couscous Salad
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Pearl Couscous
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 can (14 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 English cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup feta, crumbled
- Prepare pearl couscous according to package directions.
- In medium bowl, toss shrimp with seasoned salt.
- In large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add shrimp and cook 5 minutes. If necessary, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding pan.
- In another large pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add chickpeas and cook 8 minutes until crispy and golden, tossing often. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and salt. Toss to fully coat and cook 2 minutes.
- In large bowl, combine pearl couscous, shrimp, chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, red onion, dill, lemon juice and remaining olive oil. Toss to combine. Garnish with feta.

Pearl Couscous and Chickpea Salad
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 bag Success Pearl Couscous
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon za’atar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Prepare pearl couscous according to package directions.
- In large bowl, combine couscous, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, parsley and za’atar.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.

SOURCE:
Hungry for what’s next? STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section dishes up the latest in restaurant news, beverage trends, seasonal recipes, culinary events, and food culture stories readers love to share.
