It’s no shocker that I’m a total carboholic. I love the stuff. I could easily polish a plain baguette for dinner, and I always get multiple servings of any grains at the table, be it rice, pasta, or more bread. It’s my kryptonite. My poison. My cherry on top. Enchiladas are basically nothing without the tortilla. And those people who choose to eat burgers without the bun–not for a gluten reason, but just as a preference–you make my heart cry.
So when it comes to rice? I lurrrrve the stuff. We used to have rice as a kid all the time. I remember being OBSESSED with rice pilaf out of the box growing up. We ate it so much that my mom had to begin buying multiple boxes for one dinner because my siblings and I would fight over the third-and-fourth-helpings of rice. It was just so perfect–the perfect texture that held its firmness even after it was cooked–and lent such a nice bite yet a very mellow flavor to anything it was mixed with. It managed to be both the star of the dish while also letting the other flavors shine through. It’s basically like a magic grain!
From Japanese sushi to American jambalaya, rice is such a versatile grain that is essential in many global cuisines. Every variety has its own distinct flavor, aroma and texture. RiceSelect™ knows that creating the most delicious dishes possible starts with choosing the right rice.
When RiceSelect asked me to create something using their Royal Blend® with Quinoa, I immediately flashed back to My Strange Rice-Pilaf Addiction days. But rice pilaf is so predictable and I’m a dessert blogger, so I knew I had to stretch my mind a little larger than my enormous love for rice pilaf. Alas, I remembered someone brilliant in history invented rice pudding, and I was determined to create it since — *shocker* — I’ve actually never had it. Maybe I thought my heart couldn’t expand to any other rice product, but man, I was wrong. Rice pudding, quite possibly, could be my new favorite! 
The Royal Blend with Quinoa is a unique grain combination of Texmati Light Brown, Red Quinoa and (isn’t this the coolest name ever?!) Freekeh. The delicious flavor of Texmati® combines beautifully with these two ancient grains; quinoa, with its slightly nutty flavor, and freekeh, with a subtle smoky flavor, adding visual and flavorful appeal to any meal! (And also, you can tell people you ate super freekehhhh, yoooowwwwww). 
Anywho, back to this pudding business. I mixed the Royal Blend with Quinoa rice with some fluffy Cool Whip, creamy chocolate pudding and some crushed Oreos to create delectable chocolate pudding parfaits. And with Halloween around the corner, I spookified them by adding gummy worms and candy bugs and bones which are fun ways to decorate these parfaits for the kids and encourage them to eat their grains 😉 Dig in!! 
- 1 cup RiceSelect Royal Blend with Quinoa
- 2 cups water
- Dash of salt
- 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip Free, thawed
- 1 small box sugar free/fat free instant chocolate fudge pudding
- 1 cup fat free or low-fat milk
- ¼ cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1 pkg Oreo cookies, crushed into coarse crumbs
- Gummy worms
- Candy bugs, candy bones, candy eyeballs
- First, make your rice: in a medium saucepan, bring together the Royal Blend with Quinoa, water and dash of salt together; bring to a boil. Stir once and cover with a tight fitting lid. Let cook on low heat about 20 minutes.
- Once rice has cooked, remove from burner and let it cool a bit to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, spoon the rice into a gallon-size Ziploc baggy. Seal all the air out and place the baggy into a large bowl filled with ice water. Let it chill in the ice bath for about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in another large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and the milk until combined. Gently fold in the Cool Whip to incorporate, stirring in the mini chocolate chips at the last second. Finally, fold in the rice carefully.
- Let the rice pudding sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to allow the rice to soak in the flavors and so everything can get acquainted.
- Spoon the rice pudding evenly among parfait glasses or bowls. Top with the crushed cookies, gummy worms, bug and bone sprinkles and eyeball sprinkles, if you'd like. Serve immediately.
- For a more grown up version, consider spooning the mixture into martini glasses and topping with chocolate syrup "spider webs" and a raspberry garnish.
*recipe adapted from Something Swanky 
Admittedly, I was kinda scared the pudding would taste, well, rice-y. But after letting it set overnight (which I think is the KEY to a successful rice pudding!!) allowed the rice to kind of soak in all that chocolate and milk and softened the texture a little so it didn’t remind me of the same rice I’d have in my beloved pilaf. It was soft, still maintaining a nice bite, and married so nicely with the creamy chocolate fudge pudding. I loved that this Royal Blend with Quinoa blend added some nutrition to the pudding — the heart-healthy quinoa and the unique freekeh added such subtle yet delicious background flavors — that complex nuttiness — to the pudding. It almost tasted like Nutella!
RiceSelect wants YOU to have the chance to cook with their delicious, healthy rice blends too! Answer the question below in a comment and you could win a $100 Visa gift card to buy RiceSelect to create your own flavorful, healthy meal experience from the comfort of your kitchen!!
How would you get ‘freekeh’ with RiceSelect’s Royal Blend with Quinoa? In the meantime, if you’re looking to purchase RiceSelect, use the RiceSelect store locator, or conveniently purchase it online at Amazon.com, as product availability may be limited. You can also connect with RiceSelect on Facebook and Twitter.
Good luck, and have a freekeh day!! 🙂
xo, Hayley
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: a. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post b:Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c: Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d: For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 10/7/2013-11/7/2013 Be sure to visit the RiceSelect brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers reviews and find more chances to win!
What a fun idea, Hayley! I’m a carboholic too – and with the gestational diabetes, I haven’t been able to indulge as much as I would like! I’m ready to dig into all things carby! 😉
Honestly, I’d love to use this Royal Blend just as a nice side dish! A girl can only eat so many sweet potatoes (one of the few carbs that doesn’t make my blood sugar crazy!)
I’d probably use it to make a side dish.
I would use it to make Quinoa and Roasted Pepper Chili
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
tweet – https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/387199031362854913
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
This reminds me of those silly pudding, Oreo, and gummy worm cups we used to make in elementary school right around Halloween. They were ok, but this looks so much more delicious!
I would use it as a side dish for chicken
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/387248911066206209
These are tooo darn cute, LOVE them!
I would make a stir fry with lots of veggies. I have been wanting to try Quinoa, so this would be a good way to give it a try.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/387286052668321792
I would make the “arroz con leche” I grew up (rice pudding).
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/387335900218155008
I would have to try the parfaits with marshmallow ghosts on top!
I would use it to make a pumpkin risotto with sage and pecorino cheese!
I’d probably make some freekeh rice n’ beans cuz I have been SERIOUSLY craving Mexican food lately!
I would make chili with it.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
You nailed this rice pudding recipe! I cant wait to try it.
What a fun giveaway and recipe! Who knew you could make such an irresistible treat with rice?! Love this Halloween treat, Hayley. Those little mini bones? I die.
I think I would make ‘Mummy’ burritos with the I would most like to try Texmati light brown rice variety
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/387710438122602496
Oh man, I don’t even know! That looks amazing though, and since I’ve never really cooked with quinoa before, I’d have to look up some recipes and figure out what to try!
I would make a rice pudding
OMG SO COOL! I’d probably make this, lol! I would never have thought of it-you’re so smart Hayley!
oreos and whipped cream !:) yum!
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/388017916160925696
I would use it with my beef tips and gravy recipe
tweet
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/388049611119550464
Boy do you have one creative mind! I think as freaky as I might get is baking it with cubed squash, vegetable broth and kale!
I posted a tweet too : https://twitter.com/AnnaZed/status/388193008832618496
OMG, I love this! I’m having a halloween party and I definitely need to make this. I have a guest that’s GF, but it looks like all I have to do is swap out the oreos for the gluten free kind and I’m in great shape! 🙂
I’d add some serious spice. If it makes your nose sweat then it probably has enough 🙂
I would make a rice salad with this!
Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/DistractedDebra/status/388403792611262464
I would love to try their Royal Blend® with Quinoa
I tweeted too! https://twitter.com/jessrwarfield/status/387960930060890114
I would make a stir fry with a lot of different vegetables.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/389117394469126144
I would use it to make Takikomi Gohan, our favorite rice dish.
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/389587856861052929
I have several rice salad dishes that this would be perfect for. Then I would add some roteserie chicken to it. Perfect.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/MsCarolsueA/status/389636946516930560
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I’d add roasted veggies and feta! YUM
how about rice pudding with it?
tweeted
https://twitter.com/MelindaJoy926/status/391943783819907072
I’d make glorified rice – pineapples, cool whip, cherries and rice. It’s so good.
I’d probably make it with salmon, not interesting, but good.
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/392708663942447104
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I would love to try out the quinoa blend with my beef and broccoli stir-fry!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I’d definitely like to try one of the whole grain blends. I’m not very creative, but this recipe looks fun!
chambanachik at gmail dot com
I’d make the CHICKEN BIRYANI with white rice
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/394039092129701888
I would be daring and use this to make Dal which is an Indian dish
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/394551189242535936
Our family would like the Light Brown Rice with Flaxseed with smothered chicken breasts, great way to add fiber!
i would use it for a side dish
I freekeh rice up by adding sauteed vegetables and spices 🙂
I would add this to my rice.
I’d love to use it to make stuffed peppers.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/395999323894206464
Thanks again.
Royal Blend with Quinoa and use this for rice dishes or a made up side dish from scratch. I would love to have something different for sports parties.
I want to try this recipe!
Spicy rice pudding! Yum.
I would get ‘freekeh’ with RiceSelect’s Royal Blend with Quinoa with chicken and asiago cheese.
make witch rice
tvollowitz at aol dot com
I would make chili with it.
austma7@aol.com
I would use this to make a spicy, crunchy side dish. 🙂 Thank you.
My tweet is here: https://twitter.com/sottovocerocks/status/396049515343392768
I would make stir fry but use quinoa instead of rice
I would start with the Royal Blend Whole Grain with Texmati Brown & Wild Rice and smash it into some chicken
I would get ‘freekeh’ with RiceSelect’s Royal Blend with Quinoa by making these awesome pudding parfaits and topping them with candy corn, marshmellows and a big plastic spider. Too fun thanks for sharing this one.
Make a salad.
I think I would use it as a side dish with chicken.
I would try it in a lettuce wrap with chicken
I love Quinoa and usually have it sweet with some brown sugar in the mornings. Using it in the blend for Rice Pudding is an awesome idea! Maybe I could make that and trick my son and parents into eating some!
I would use it to make a Mediterranean Rice Salad.
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/396227513707290624
this is great
I would use it for stuffed cabbages!
Royal Blend® Whole Grain with Texmati® Brown & Wild Rice
ky_grandma40@yahoo.com
I would make a curry side out of it.
I tweeted – https://twitter.com/mypadawans/status/396285589085237248
I’d use it to make a cold salad with black olives and orange bell peppers – thank you.
Tweet https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/396293511534092288
I’d try the Almond Joy Rice Torte
I tweeted https://twitter.com/TarahM716/status/396324171954651136
these dishes look wonderful, My daughter has been preaching to me about this.
I would use the rice to make a casserole
I would serve it with a chicken stir fry.
I would use it for a side dish to go along with my pork chops
I would get freekeh by using it as a side dish. Thanks for the giveaway!
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/BlumbyBlimpers/status/396518974877233152
How fun! I never would have thought of that! I’d probably use it for something less interesting to look at, like the Chicken Salad recipe they have on their site 🙂
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/396647838769090560
Quinoe? What the heck is quinoe? (from the tv commercial). I’d make a chicken, broccoli and rice bake.
maybe some scary gummy bugs coming out
https://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/396817613474791424
I would make a chicken and rice soup.
i’ve actually never had quinoa, i would try making it with vegetables, not that freaky but exciting enough for a first foray
I’d make a chocolate rice pudding
Tweeted at https://twitter.com/KDFF/status/397067589920104448
would use it as a side dish with enchiladas
i don’t have a clue! I’d probably make some boring side dish – totally love your recipe though – i ‘m just not very creative like that
i posted a tweet:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/397123723242663936
I’d use it as a side dish with broiled fish or roast chicken
I would use it to make rice pudding! 🙂
tweeted 🙂 https://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/397176279142633472
I would make it with a chicken stir fry.
I would use it to make stir fry – one of my favorite meals.
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/397289760764338176
I love the idea
aznsweep@hotmail.com
Don’t know how freekeh I would get, but my boyfriend is Korean, and he’ll try anything new with rice, perhaps in a stir fry.
my nephew would love this
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/397407041511112704
I would make a rice pilaf with the quinoa blend!
I would love to try this with jambalaya!
I would get ‘freekeh’ with RiceSelect’s Royal Blend by mixing it with some veggies and adding chicken to make an awesome stir fry 🙂
Tweeted 🙂 https://twitter.com/savingbride/status/397547993219358720
I would really like to try the Royal Blend® with Quinoa, maybe with left over turkey in a wrap.
I think I would have to try it in a stir fry
I would make a dirty rice with this!
I’ll use it in a country salad.
ky2here at msn dot com
https://twitter.com/ky2here1/status/397692379047550976
i would use it to make a stuffing for chicken or turkey
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/397762395193364480
I would get ‘freekeh’ with RiceSelect’s Royal Blend with Quinoa by stuffing some poblano peppers with it and adding some black beans and corn.
Tweeted https://twitter.com/bklocinski/status/397787429416873985
I’d make rice pudding
I would make rice and bean burritos.
Thanks for the giveaway!
eswright18 at gmail dot com
tweet
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/397823910223179776
usually i use plain rice served with stir-fry so i would try the blend with it instead pryfamily5@gmail.com
i tweeted https://twitter.com/pryfamily5/status/397830485553852416 pryfamily5@gmail.com
I would use it as a side dish with chicken.
i’d make rice pudding
I would get Freekeh by Making an adult graveyard rice pudding cup by adding alcohol to it. Nothing to extreme, like baileys to add to the flavor of the pudding and not contradict it. Perfect for an adult Halloween party(:
I would use it in my burritos
I usually just use white rice, so I would have to search for some new recipes to try out with these products.
I would make a pistachio rice pudding and top each with a little whipped cream with a gummy eyeball that I found over Halloween sitting atop.
My kids would love it !
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
id make a quinoa casserole!
https://twitter.com/scg00387/status/397971452508389376
I would use it in a rice casserole. 🙂
I would use the Royal Blend with Red Quinoa to stuff chicken breast.
https://twitter.com/smilekisses/status/397980873489805312
What a spooky and fun rice pudding. Love it. I would get ‘freekeh’ with RiceSelect’s Royal Blend with Quinoa by cooking up some blackened rice with the Royal Blend. Adding some black beans and dark color lentils for more fun. 🙂
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/397981386067283969
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Royal Blend with Flaxseed is the one I’d love to try! I’d use it to make a stir fry.
i would add onions and black beans in it
Im not much of a cook but I think it would make a great side to roasted chicken
I’d use it to replace our standard plain white rice with meals.
Looks fantastic, I love rice pudding
I’d use it as a bed for my Moroccan-chicken recipe.
I’d love to try the RiceSelect Royal Blend with Quinoa either in my chicken and rice soup or in stuffed peppers. I know it’s not very high on the freaky level, but it sounds yummy lol
I would like to try the Royal blend first.
I would like to try the royal blen
I would definitely use it to make chili with–I love chili and adding this sounds delicious!
I have no idea!
This looks yummy!
tweeted https://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/398163815944036352
I would use the quinoa blend added to salad for the protein.
tweeted for entry
https://twitter.com/mhohertz/status/398202092403183617
Royal Blend with Flax as a side dish
With buffalo chicken and blue cheese
i would use it to make a rice and veggie dish
I don’t get very freaka’ with my food LOL But I’d make this with a nice chicken stir fry.
I’d make rice pudding with pecans and drizzled with a little caramel.
I would use it to make Spanish Rice.
id make this recipe I found online Warm Quinoa Salad with Edamame & Tarragon
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/recipecomdetail.jsp?recipeId=25109251
https://twitter.com/klp1965/status/398262902743769088
I want to try the Royal Blend with Flaxseed.
I’d like to try Quinoa in a rice side dish to go with chicken.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/bettycd/status/398281532164431873
I wish a had a great idea like this one! I am not a creative baking/cooking novice so I would use it as a side dish with chicken.
https://twitter.com/catholicfanatic/status/398299275869704192
Link to tweet.
I would use it as a side dish.
I’d make it to put a spin on chicken and rice!
I’d use it to make red beans and rice.
I would make rice pudding and I would DEFINITELY try your recipes!
https://twitter.com/miriama59/status/398426709180952576
I’m not real inventive when it comes to the kitchen but would like to try your Graveyard Rice Pudding Parfaits recipie.
raventally30@aol.com
Tweet
https://twitter.com/itzmenmc/status/398447214814437376
raventally30@aol.com
I would probably make some type of salad and serve with chicken.
https://twitter.com/dddiva/status/398449489993678848
I think I would like the Arborio Rice, I have some recipes it would be perfect for, especially a great rice pudding recipe I have
I tweeted https://twitter.com/2BeFitBy50/status/398470249286082560
I probably would just use it as a side dish
i would like to try the RiceSelect Royal Blend with Red Quinoa first. i am working on getting more quinoa in my diet and this would be perfect for me. i like to make chicken and rice and this would be perfect for that.
I would either use it as a side dish with dinner or maybe make rice pudding for dessert.
the graveyard rice pudding looks amazing.I would love to try this for rice balls on Christmas.
I would make Apple Rice Pudding.
I would make red bean & rice
https://twitter.com/tlcfromtn/status/398524495616413696
I would go Cajun. I would use it to make jambalaya and shrimp.
I would make chili with it.
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/398525505743228929
would be good to add to the Spanish rice recipe I have.
I would make it with some pork chops
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/398536806573944832
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I would make this with cordon bleu chicken
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/398545307127934977
I would get freaky with it by using it to create a full on fatty cinnamon rich rice/quinoa pudding!
oops…forgot to say “with caramel and espresso!”
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/398556546730164224
I’d make a sweet and warm cereal with it and color it black.
Tweet https://twitter.com/krazekatlady/status/398557276228689920
I would make beef stir fry with the rice.
https://twitter.com/ladyt64/status/398571458235879425
I would make a graveyard pudding similar to yours. I love it!
winz135 at gmail.com
tweet
https://twitter.com/MistySunrise/status/398578797672292352
winz135 at gmail.com
I’d put in smoked turkey sausage and cajun spices.
Thanks for the contest.
https://twitter.com/slehan/status/398589803244945409
I would add some Hatch green chiles to it!
I would make fried rice pancakes with lots of vegetables
posted on twitter! https://twitter.com/goinsjodi/status/398619232898138112
i am going to try and make this for the kids.maybe leave it on the bar see how long take sthem to notice and eat it! looks so much fun.bet this was great at halloween!
I would add onions and hot sauce to it.
I would use it as a side dish for grilled salmon
I would make rice pudding (or at least ty)