Quinoa Pilaf "Rice" Plate ~ Teczcape-An Escape to Food

So how about pairing the kale and mushrooms with spiced quinoa, topped with a fried egg?

Would you fancy a rice plate like this?

In some Chinese restaurants in the US, you find rice plate combinations in the menu. We have heard before that the Chinese themselves will not order rice plate items (usually rice combined with roast/BBQ meat) from the menu as we know how to order the each individual from the menu and always make sure all the dishes go well together.

Also common in the Asian grocery stores (those with delis) in the US, the rice plate system works this way: fixed price and "buffet-style".

For example, at USD7.99, as long as you are able to fill up the white Styrofoam meal box (without "overflowing" of food; make sure the box can be closed too!) with the food items you choose/want (e.g. meat, seafood, vegetables, and carbs selection of rice and/or noodles), you get to eat it! (photo on left)

It is much different back in Asia. Rice plate, more commonly known as "economy" rice is very popular in food centers and are charged based on the food item itself. For example, if you order two meat items + one vegetable item, it is usually more expensive than a rice plate with two vegetable items + one meat item. A combination of three side dishes is most popular with steamed rice and it usually comes to about SGD4-5, supposed to be economical (thus the name "economy" rice) in terms of filling us up when we are hungry.