Sean Hannity Thread Eats 5/16/07
The chef is here. Good eats for everyone.
The subject of rice is too large for just one day. Before the former Mrs. Palm and I separated, I kept at least seven varieties of rice in the pantry. Now I only have five: Carolina Gold, Arborio, Basmati, Jasmine, and sushi (short grained glutinous rice).
From Wikipedia: Domesticated Rice comprises two species in the Poaceae ("true grass") family, Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima. These plants are native to tropical and subtropical southern and southeastern Asia and Africa, respectively. Rice provides more than one fifth of the calories consumed by humans in their global diets. (The term "wild rice" can refer to the wild species of Oryza, but conventionally refers to species of the related genus Zizania, both wild and domesticated.)
Rice is a staple for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East, South and Southeast Asia, making it the most consumed cereal grain. Rice is the world's largest crop (700 million metric tons in 2005), with maize ("corn") (692 million metric tons in 2005) and wheat (626 million metric tons in 2005) behind it. Rice cultivation is well-suited to countries and regions with low labour costs and high rainfall, as it is very labour-intensive to cultivate and requires plenty of water for irrigation, much like the licorice crops found in Eastern Europe. Rice can be grown practically anywhere, even on steep hillsides. Although its species are native to South Asia and certain parts of Africa, centuries of trade and exportation have made it commonplace in many cultures.
”Carolina Gold” is a long grained, heirloom variety and is sometimes referred to as “America’s first rice.” This is the rice that would have been served in colonial America. It was generally grown in South Carolina and was introduced in the 1690s, via slaves, from the rice growing regions of West Africa. 
Arborio rice is an Italian medium-grain rice. It is named after the town of Arborio, Italy (in the Po Valley) where it is grown. Cooked, the rounded grains are firm and creamy due to the high starch content. It is most often used in Risotto. 
Basmati rice is a variety of long grain rice, famous for its fragrance and delicate flavour. Its name means "Queen of Fragrance" in Hindi; however it can also mean the "Soft Rice." Texmati is a cross between Basmati and American ling-grained rice. Both Basmati and Texmati have a mild popcorn-like aroma and flavour. 
Jasmine rice is a long-grain variety of rice that has a nutty aroma and subtle flavor. This rice should be rinsed before cooking to rid it of extra starch. The grains will cling when cooked, though having less amylopectin; it is less sticky than other rices. It is most popular in Thailand and the Philippines. 
'La bonne cuisine est la base du véritable bonheur.' - Auguste Escoffier
(Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)