Most cuisines of the world are cooking rice in one way or another. It is one of the simplest grains to prepare and is an incredibly versatile culinary ingredient.
Though, it is not difficult to make, from time to time you can in the simplest way to say it, “mess it up.”
When preparing rice you always need to be aware of the ratio of water to rice. As well as the cooking time and type of rice you are cooking.
Read More Here About The Type Of Rice You Are Cooking – What’s To Know About The Rice You Plate
Different Ways To Prepare Rice
There are though, several different kitchen appliances available today that can help you to prepare a good dish of rice. These include the:
- Slow Cooker
- Rice Maker or Rice Steamer
- Instant Pot
Use Your Instant Pot To Make Brown Rice
White rice requires less time to cook about 20-25 minutes. Were as whole grain brown rice requires more time, about 35-45 minutes.
Stovetop Cooked Long Grain White Rice
Rice cooks to several times its original bulk. One cup of uncooked rice equals two cups of rice when cooked.
If you do not have one of the kitchen appliances mentioned above, no problem you can still make a good dish of cooked rice.
The most common way of preparing rice is by boiling it.
Preparing Boiled Rice
When making white rice, use a 1:2 ratio for the rice and water. This means for every 1 cup of rice use 2 cups of water.
Before boiling white rice, it should be rinsed in cold water. Doing so removes any dust, or debris and including starch that can cause the rice to be sticky when it is cooked.
Place 1 cup medium or long-grain white rice in a strainer, and rinse it under cold running water.
Next, place a medium sized pot on to the stove. Add 2 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon of butter and the 1 cup of rinsed rice. Turn the burner to high heat and allow the water to come to a roiling boil.
Next, turn burner to low and place a lid on pot. Let the rice cook for approximately 18 minutes. When the rice is finished, it will be firm but not crunchy.
Jazz Up Boiled Rice With Additional Flavors
To jazz up your boil rice with additional flavor add some vegetables, citrus zest, cranberries and nuts, like pecans.
Preparing Baked Rice
As you read about the water to rice ratio from the stovetop boiled rice recipe, the baked rice method of water to rice is different as well as the cooking time.
Curried Chicken With Coconut Rice & Lime Yogurt Sauce
Take a look at this recipe, Curried Chicken With Coconut Rice & Lime Yogurt Sauce and you will notice the water ratio is the same but the rice is increased by 1/3 cup. Also the cooking time increases from 18 minutes (stovetop time) to between 25-30 minutes.
Preparing A Rice Pilaf
Making a rice pilaf is very difficult from boiled rice.
Cooking rice with the pilaf method gives you a firmer grain and develops additional flavors by sautéing it.
It also helps to keep the grains separate and generally results in rice that’s less sticky than the regular boiled rice.
With rice pilaf you will typically fry uncooked rice and sauté it until it gives off a faint nutty aroma.
Preparing Fried Rice
Fried rice is pretty much a meal in itself. You can use leftovers and pantry staples and comes together in one skillet in a matter of minutes.
Plus, a fried rice dish is versatile. You can add whatever vegetables you have in your kitchen either on the countertop or in the fridge. Add some chopped meat. And use left over cooked white or brown rice.
Preparing Speciality Rice
A specialty rice includes Basmati, Jasmine and Arborio.
Basmati rice is considered the “queen of fragrance.” It is an aromatic long grain rice variety with a distinctive nutty flavor and fragrance.
Basmati can be cooked with the stovetop boiled method, the same as regular long grained rice. It also cooks up a good dish of rice using the Instant Pot.
Jasmine is a aromatic long grain white rice. It can be distinguished by its slightly floral fragrance, moist texture and pure white color.
Jasmine is widely popular in Asian recipes and may be substituted for long grain rice in most recipes as well.
Jasmine also can be cooked the same with the boiled stovetop method.
Give this Instant Pot Nigerian Jollof Rice a try. Both the Basmati and Jasmine can be used to cook this dish.
Sometimes called, “Risotto Rice,” Arborio rice is known for its unique texture and flavor, yielding a creamy character when cooked.
This pearl-like medium grain white rice with is ideal for risotto recipes or rice puddings.
Like pasta, Arborio rice is prepared al dente. When making Arborio rice for risotto, do not rinse the rice which can eliminate some of the starch.
While cooking, very slowly add about 4 cups of stock or broth to 1 cup rice, frequently stirring and allowing the rice to fully absorb the liquid after each addition.
While the rice cooks, it releases its starch, essential to giving the risotto a rich, creamy consistency.
While stirring, it’s better to use a wooden spoon as it is less likely to break the grains of rice than a metal spoon.
Give these recipes a try. Both use Arborio rice.
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