Rice is one of those foods that is easy to prepare and yet things can go wrong. Learning to cook rice is similar to learning to ride a bicycle. If you know how to cook fluffy, perfect rice every time, you tend to repeat the technique and wonder why your rice has turned out different.
Knowing how to cook great rice on a stovetop is a handy skill to have. It’s all about technique. Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes it’s sticky. So, here are some tips to help you make the perfect rice every time your inner chef wakes up.
do you know rice
Understand that the most common cooking ratio – 2 parts water to 1 part rice – will not work perfectly for all types of rice. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all cooking ratio. For example, brown rice needs more water than white rice. So familiarize yourself with your rice before you start cooking.
splash of oil
If you don’t want your rice to clump, add a splash of oil or butter to the cooking water (about a tablespoon). As the rice cooks, it becomes less sticky and more defined, making it ideal for salads.
Do not stir it while cooking.
Unless you’re making risotto (which should be starchy), don’t stir the rice while it’s cooking. This will make the rice starchy, thick and sticky, so resist the urge!
Quickly roast the rice
Simply heat a small amount of oil in your pan, add the rice and simmer until the rice grains turn golden brown and aromatic. Then just add the water and continue cooking as usual. The toasted flavor will be light, but just enough to spice things up a bit.
Place a kitchen towel under the lid
During the final cooking stages, place a tea towel under the lid to absorb the moisture and prevent it from becoming mushy. The towel will trap the moisture that would otherwise fall back over the rice and make it mushy. Make sure it does not come into contact with the flame.
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