How To Cook Rice
Rice is a staple in various countries all over the world. This delicious, sweet-smelling food tastes great with any viand, and can be mixed with different ingredients. It’s also used for various dishes, like casseroles, porridge, and sushi. A lot of people love eating rice, but to fully enjoy it, you must first know how to properly prepare it. Here are instructions on how to cook rice.
Cooking Rice In A Pot
The conventional way of cooking yummy rice is by using an ordinary pot. While it seems like an easy task, people often fail to do it right, ending up with burnt rice or grains sticking to the bottom of the pot. Try this technique when using a pot to cook rice.
Materials Needed:
Pot
Rice
Stove
Water
Bowl
Measuring Tool (A measuring cup or an ordinary mug will suffice)
Paper Towels
Procedure:
Put cold water in a bowl and soak the rice in it for at least 30 to 60 minutes. Soaking and washing the grains before cooking gives you a fuller, fluffier and lighter cooked rice that doesn’t stick.
cooking rice
Wash or rinse the rice in the sink, under running water. This will wash out starch and any impurities mixed with the grain. Keep doing this procedure, until the foggy white, water becomes clear enough, and the rice can be seen through it.
Put a cup of cooked rice in the pot. Make sure you measure it properly.
Add 1 1/2 cup of cold water into the pot, covering the rice. Depending on your preference, you can add a bit more water to the pot, for a stickier and softer outcome. At least 1 ¾ cups will do. If you do want firmer grains, stick to the 1:1 ½ ratio.
Turn the stove on moderate to high heat, and place the pot over it.
Wait until the rice comes to a “rolling” boil. This is when large bubbles show, but cannot be dissipated through stirring, and continues to break the surface. A rolling boil is important when cooking rice, because adequate steam builds up and completely cooks the rice, even if it’s not in an open flame.
When you get to the rolling boil, turn down the heat to as low as possible. Put a lid over the pot, and let it heat for five minutes again.
Turn off the heat. Don’t take off the lid, so the steam will properly cook the rice thoroughly. If you want, you can also place a paper towel in between the pot and lid, as to prevent moisture buildup.
Ten minutes after you’ve turned the heat off, check on the rice again. It’s probably fully cooked and ready to eat. Taste a small amount, to be sure. If you can still crunch on it, put the lid back, and allow the steam to cook the rice further. Adding a little bit of hot water is also a good idea.
Using A Rice Cooker
Many people will agree that the procedure above is already too old-fashioned. This owes to the fact that the rice cooker has been invented, a kitchen appliance made solely for perfectly heating, boiling and cooking rice. Not all households have one, but if you’re using one, you can just measure and wash the rice (follow the steps above), measure out the water, plug the cooker, and put the the pot in the contraption. Press the “cook” switch, and wait for it to cook. When it’s done, the switch will click. You can also keep the rice warm for as long as you want to, just by not unplugging the cooker.
Other Rice Cooking Tips
To make the rice more tasty and flavorful, use chicken broth or beef stock instead of water. Adding salt, margarine or butter is also all right.
A cup of rice grains might seem insufficient, but when cooked, it can satisfy about two people.
The water can run over the sides of the pot and lift the lid at the first boil. When this happen, simply take the lid off for a few seconds, until the bubbles go down, then put it back again.
When cooking over the stove, use the pot’s original lid for cover, since it seals perfectly.
Nothing is more satisfying and filling than a plateful of warm, steaming rice. If you think you’ll mess it up, don’t worry. Just follow the tips above, and you’ll have the delicious rice to complete a perfect meal.