The resilience and availability of rice, together with its cost and long-term storability, has made it popular in the Gulf and Indian subcontinent.Expats today continue to enjoy their traditional rice-based treats in the UAE, be it homemade meals or restaurant specials.Shabina, an Indian housewife in Sharjah, said she cooks plain basmati rice six times a week. Her husband and two young children go through about 10 cooked rice cups in that time.