Maple Pork Rice Using Rice From Ralston Family Farms

I recently bought some rice from Ralston Family Farms and I have to say, this is some of the best rice I've ever had! So, I thought I'd learn a little about Ralston Family Farms and share with you my recipe for Maple Pork Rice. 

Ralston Family Farms says, "Our mission is to provide the best tasting and highest quality rice available through sustainable farming practices which improves the land while giving back to help end the fight against food insecurity across the United States. The Ralston Family calls Arkansas River Valley home. Our artisan products are proudly American and wholesomely grown on our generational family farm. Around here, senior management is called Mom and Dad and meetings around the dining room table are our favorites. Everyone has a role and it takes all of us to make it work. We take pride in being a brand you can trust! 

We farm with minimal disturbance to the soil. Our focus is on building up the health of the soil, by not tilling we’re fostering a network of plant roots and fungi which carry nutrients to our harvest. Rainfall captured after rice harvest provides a migratory habitat and plentiful food sources for wildlife. Wildlife helps the natural breakdown of crop residue, making those organic nutrients available for the next crop.  

Core values are an essential part of any business, and they get a little easier to define when you have grown up with them all your life. The cornerstone to our value system is our faith and in life one must both receive and give. Everyone can do something and our something is rice. The way our family likes to give is through our "Family to Family" outreach program. Ralston Family Farms dedicates a percentage of our rice to food banks in our region and all over the state of Arkansas."

I'm impressed - solid values and excellent rice! You will find more information about Ralston Family Farms at this link.

Now for my recipe for Maple Pork Rice -

Ingredients -

• Boneless Center-cut Pork Loin Chops (or take a Pork Loin and cut into chunks. I slice each cop down the middle and across a couple times - not all the way through, just to "score" them.
• Place in an instant pot on a trivet with 1 1/3 cup water.
• Season with salt, pepper (I use Florida Pepper from Penzeys)
• Add diced onion.
• Top with 4 tablespoons of real maple syrup.
• Cook on high for 30 minutes.
• Allow to steam for 10 minutes, then release the steam, place in a bowl, and pull with a fork. Set aside.
• Take broth and use with Ralston Family Farms rice (I use their Nature's Blend Rice which is a mix of Purple, Red, and Brown Rice - very high in antioxidants!) Use one cup rice to 1 1/3 cup broth.
• Season as you like.
• Cook in the instant pot for 25 minutes and let sit to steam for ten minutes. 
• Release steam, fluff with fork, add pork and a bit of butter - Enjoy!

I made this recipe to celebrate Canada Day yesterday - the maple syrup gave this recipe a tasty Canadian touch! I think I will always add maple syrup now whenever I fix rice with pork!