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If you’re looking for a delicious and nourishing way to prep lunch or dinner, this Basmati Rice with Mushrooms recipe is a very good option. It’s easy to make, super healthy and delicious, and loaded with prebiotics to keep your gut microbiome healthy.

Gut Microbiome 101
Do you want the microbiome in your belly to be happy? We all do, right! Those little guys inside your gastrointestinal tact need to eat something and one of the things they like to eat is prebiotics.
What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are food for probiotics (for the bacteria in your colon). A prebiotic is a special type of soluble fiber that is used mostly by the beneficial good bacteria in the colon, as a source of fuel.
Prebiotics are not digested by the small intestine and are used as fuel, or fermented, by the colon bacteria.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are certain types of healthy bacteria that colonize your gut lining.
You can get probiotics from supplements but, ideally you should get them from foods prepared by bacterial fermentation, or by consuming prebiotics.
Why is this important?
There is strong evidence to show that, if gut bacteria are healthy, and the balance between so-called “good” and “bad” bacteria is optimal, then your body will be healthy, and in turn you will be healthy.
Health starts in the gut, this is a known fact that can’t be denied anymore. So please, please watch out for what you choose to put in your mouth since you can either feed or damage the indispensable gut microbiome that basically keeps you alive.
By the way … did you knew that in the human body bacteria outnumber cells by a ratio of 10 to 1?

What about this Basmati Rice with Mushrooms dish?
This recipe for basmati rice with mushrooms is loaded with prebiotics that mainly come from cooked rice. Remember from the start of the article when I said that “prebiotics are food for probiotics (for the bacteria in your colon)”?
This meal serves both as a recovery meal after an intense activity, as well as a source of prebiotics for your gut bacteria. These prebiotics feed your gut bacteria with what they (the gut bacteria) need in order to thrive. Yes, that is amazing!
As for the taste, if you have tasted aniseed you know what I mean when I say this dish has a sweet taste to it (a mix between licorice and a bit of mint). Aniseed and basil will give our basmati rice with mushrooms dish a very unique aroma. I don’t know if other people cook their rice like this, but for us it was a nice change from the traditional cooked rice.
The carrots and mushrooms will improve the taste of this dish and, in case you’ll be using porcini mushrooms (as we did), you’ll literally be amazed by the flavor they will bring.
Porcini mushrooms (also called hribi or penny bun) are loaded with antioxidants, protein, vitamins and minerals and gut-friendly fiber, so you better include them in your way of eating. Organic mushrooms are even more potent on these nutrients so that’s why I believe that it’s better to cook at home (using healthy organic mushrooms) instead of going to a restaurant where they will probably use canned mushrooms.

More tips and health benefits
Try choosing organic rice, carrots and mushrooms, since organic plants are more potent when it comes to the nutrients they contain. Organic plants will be free of pesticides and toxins, having more phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals, that will help your immune system thrive.
Cooked and cooled rice is loaded with prebiotics, and we know that prebiotics are food for your friendly gut bacteria. Eat this kind of meal with prebiotics on a regular basis, and you’ll keep your gut healthy, keeping yourself healthy in the same time.
Serve cooked and cooled rice with added butter (or another source of healthy fats) and your body will benefit even more. A bit of fat added to a meal will help reduce the glycemic response of your body (how fast your body absorbs the carbs).
I hope this recipe will turn out to be as pleasant for you as it was for us. We served this basmati rice dish with olives, pickled cucumbers, and Feta cheese. Feel free to improvise here and pair this dish with your favorite extras.
Do you incorporate rice in your way of eating? Share your wisdom with everyone!

Easy Basmati Rice with Mushrooms
Equipment
- Cooking Pot
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 170-200 g white Basmati rice
- 2 carrots (peeled and sliced)
- 125-150 g porcini mushrooms (also named hribi or penny bun, fresh or frozen)
- a bit of fresh dill (chopped)
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/3 tsp aniseed
- 1/2 Himalayan salt
- 25 g butter (optional, skip for vegan)
- water (as needed)
Extras
- 10-15 olives (I used zaromenes olives)
- 2-3 pickled cucumbers (pickled in brine)
- 100 g Feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Chop carrots and mushrooms into small pieces, and add them to a medium pot.
- Also add basmati rice to the same pot. Add enough water to cover everything and a bit more.
- Cook on medium heat until the rice expands. Use a wooden spatula and stir from time to time, making sure the rice won’t stick.
- When the water starts to evaporate, lower the heat a bit more, and add enough water to level the rice.
- Supervise the cooking process, making sure the rice has enough water to cook in.
- Once the rice has expanded, taste it to make sure that it’s cooked the way you like it. Continue to simmer until rice is cooked properly and almost all water has evaporated.
- Strain remaining water (if any) and transfer cooked rice with veggies onto a big plate.
- Add spices and salt, and mix to incorporate. For extra flavor mix in optional raw butter as well.
- How easy was that?! Serve hot or cooled, and use your favorite extras on the side.