How To Cook Rice To Make It Perfect

Today I will tell you how to cook rice in a pot, pan, multicooker and microwave.

How to prepare the rice

If you want to cook crumbly rice, you should rinse it under cold water before cooking. This will get rid of the starch, which is responsible for stickiness. Rinse the rice about five times, or more, until the water is clear. It is most convenient to perform this procedure with a fine sieve.

Some dishes, such as risotto, require sticky rice, in which case there is no need to rinse it. Or you can limit it to one rinse to rinse out all the excess.

To cook rice faster, you can soak it for 30-60 minutes. Then the cooking time will almost halve. However, it is better to reduce the amount of water used for cooking.

How much water to take for cooking rice

It is generally believed that you need twice as much water to cook this cereal. But this is an approximate proportion. It is better to measure the volume of liquid based on the type of rice:

• For long-grain, 1 : 1.5 to 2;
• For medium-grain – 1 : 2-2.5;
• For round-grain – 1 : 2.5-3;
• For steamed – 1 : 2;
• For brown – 1 : 2,5-3;
• For wild – 1: 3,5.

Be sure to read the instructions on the package. The manufacturer knows exactly how much rice has been treated, and suggests the optimal amount of water for groats.

Measure rice and water with a measuring cup – it’s much more convenient. A standard serving for one person is 0.13 pints of dry grains.

What to add to the rice

You will definitely need salt. A ¹⁄₂ teaspoon per 1 cup of grains is sufficient. Although it is better to adjust the amount according to your preferences.

Rice is good because its taste can always be changed slightly. For example, with the following seasonings:

• Saffron;
• Curry;
• Cardamom;
• Zira;
• Cumin;
• Cinnamon;
• Cloves.

Spices are added to the water when boiling or to an already cooked dish.

Rice can also be supplemented with spicy herbs, citrus zest, or cooked in meat or chicken broth instead of water.

How long to cook rice

This depends on the cooking method and the type of rice. Therefore, the cooking time can vary from 20 to 60 minutes. You will find all the details below.

How to cook rice in a pot

It is better to use a pot with a thick bottom: in it the temperature is distributed evenly.

First, bring the salted water to a boil, and then pour the groats into it. Stir the rice once, so that the grains do not stick to the bottom. Then wait until the dish begins to boil, turn down the heat to minimum and cover the pot with a lid.

Do not lift the lid during the cooking process, otherwise the rice will take longer to cook. If you want the grains to be crumbly, do not stir them (except for the first time). Otherwise, the grains will break down and release starch.

The average boiling time after boiling again, depending on the type of rice is:

• For white – 20 minutes;
• For steamed – 30 minutes;
• For brown rice – 40 minutes;
• For wild – 40-60 minutes.

When the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and allow to stand for 10-15 minutes under a lid. If there is water left in the porridge, drain it or cover the pot with a dry towel: it will absorb the excess moisture.

How to cook rice in a frying pan

Use a 9.4-inch-diameter skillet with high sides and a lid.

Rice is cooked in it almost the same way as in a pan, except for one nuance: grains beforehand should be quickly fried in vegetable oil. Do it for 1-2 minutes, stirring all the time, so that the grains are coated with oil, then the rice will be crumbly. Then you need to pour boiling water and cook it the same way as in the method above.

How to cook rice in the multicooker

Put the rice in the bowl of the multicooker. Add water and the spices you need. Close the lid and set the mode “Cereals”, “Rice”, “Pilaf” or “Buckwheat”. Approximate cooking time of rice is:

• For white – 30 minutes;
• For steamed – 30-40 minutes;
• For brown – 50 minutes;
• For wild – 50-60 minutes.

How to cook rice in the microwave

Pour the rice into a container suitable for microwave cooking. Preferably, it should not take more than ¹⁄₃ the volume of the dish. Add water and spices.

Cook white and steamed rice for 15-20 minutes at full power. Then stir, cover, and leave in a closed microwave for 5-10 minutes.

Cook brown and wild rice first for 5 minutes on full power. Then stir, set to medium power and cook for another 20-25 minutes. Leave under a lid in a closed microwave for 10-15 minutes.

If the grains remain hard, continue to cook, checking every 1-2 minutes and adding water if necessary.

How to cook rice for sushi

1. Special Japanese rice is used for cooking sushi, which can be replaced by ordinary round-grain rice.
2. Before cooking the grits should be washed 5-7 times. It is better to throw out the floating grains.
3. Pour cold water over washed rice in the ratio of 1:1.5. You can add a piece of nori seaweed to the pot for flavor, but before boiling remove it.
4. The rice is boiled under a lid: before boiling – on medium heat, after – on minimum for about 15 minutes. After you need to remove the grits from the stove and let it stand for another 15 minutes.
5. Ready rice should be flavored with a special dressing. To make it, pour 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, add 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt into a separate saucepan and heat the mixture over medium heat until the crumbly ingredients have dissolved.
6. Transfer the rice to a wide bowl, pour over the sauce and stir gently with a wooden spatula. Once cooled, proceed to prepare the sushi.