The groceries are getting more expensive and shelves seem to always be half full these days, which is making grocery shopping tougher than ever.
The best time to use rice is now, since it is one of the most inexpensive and versatile pantry staples available. You can make a million different meals using rice as a building block once you learn how to cook it on the stovetop.
Rice is easy to find, easy to buy, and cheap. Prepare your family with this essential food for the body.
Cooking Rice on the Stove
Among the many ways to cook rice, you can cook it on the stovetop. Considering it’s simple, doesn’t require special equipment, and takes a short amount of time, it’s my preferred method. However, you might prefer another method to the one listed above.
In addition to cooking rice in a rice cooker or Instant Pot, baking it in the oven, cooking it in the microwave, or even cooking it in an abundance of water, you can also prepare it these ways.
There are pros and cons to each of these methods, so if you don’t like cooking rice on the stovetop, you can try another method.
The end result is still a delicious, standard rice cooker for your family, the process is not too important.
What Kind of Rice Can Be Used?
Each type of rice cooks slightly differently and there are many varieties in the world. Due to this limitation, this tutorial covers only white and brown long grain rice. Depending on the type of rice, you may need to use different amounts of liquid, cook times, or even use a different method altogether.
Rice Should Be Rinsed?
Of course yes, this is a step you can’t forget before cooking any kind of rice.
A couple of reasons can make it beneficial to rinse rice before cooking. Additionally, it can help remove excess starch, which can make rice sticky once cooked, as well as debris and other contaminants.
Using a fine wire mesh sieve or strainer is the easiest way to rinse rice. By doing this, the water can rinse through the rice without inadvertently spilling out the rice with the rinse water and without inadvertently leaving a lot of water behind.
Rice to Water Ratio
You will get the best rice results if you use the correct amount of rice and water. If you use too much water, your rice will become mushy. You might not be able to cook your rice through if you use too little water.
In general, for long grain white rice, 1.5 to 2 cups of water should be used for every cup of uncooked rice (use less for more firm rice, more for softer rice). However, the exact amount may vary depending on your cookware and your personal preferences. When cooking brown rice, you should use two to two and a half cups of water per cup.
It is also possible to determine the amount of water needed using the knuckle method. Those who use this ancient measuring technique consider it foolproof.
Add water until the top of the water reaches the first knuckle under your fingernail after placing your rinsed rice in your pot or rice cooker. There is no doubt that this is a crazy idea, but it good works.
Cook With The Right Equipment
Perfectly cooked rice can also be achieved with less effort if you use the right cookware. The following tips will help you:
- Make sure the pot you choose is the right size for the amount of rice you’re cooking. To cook one cup of rice in a 1.5-2 quart pot, use a pot with a volume about 6-8 times that of the uncooked rice.
- The rice will be cooked more evenly and will be less likely to burn if you use a heavy-bottomed pot.
- It is important that the burner you are using is close to the bottom of the pot. Using this method will ensure that the rice cooks evenly and that it does not become crunchy or undercooked around the edge of the pot when it is still hot.
A Way to Make Rice More Flavorful
My favorite thing about rice, aside from the fact that it is so filling and affordable, is the fact that you can change the taste so easily. You can add more flavor to your rice by following these simple steps:
- Adding water to the rice after toasting it in butter or oil is a good idea. The rice will have a deeper, toastier taste as a result.
- Rice and water can be flavored with aromatics, such as minced garlic or diced onion.
- The water should be mixed with herbs, spices, and salt before the rice is cooked.
- If you don’t want to use water, use a flavored liquid instead. It is also possible to cook rice in broth, stock, milk, or coconut milk to add even more flavor to it.
- Add flavor by drizzling or sprinkling your favorite sauce, spice, or herb after cooking, then folding gently to incorporate (think citrus juice, fresh herbs, finishing oils, etc.).
Rice Cooking Guide
With tips, tricks, and answers to all of your rice questions, this step-by-step guide guides you through the process of cooking rice on the stove top.
Author: Beth – Budget Bytes
Prep Time: 5 mins/ Cook Time: 20 mins/ Total : 25 mins
Servings: 4 cups rice
Ingredients
- A cup of long grain white rice
- Water 1.5 cups
- Salt 1/4 tsp
Instructions
- A fine mesh strainer with a fine wire mesh should be used for rinsing the rice.
- Rice, salt, and water should be added to a sauce pot.
- Bring water to a rolling boil by placing a lid on the pot and turning the heat to high.
- Keeping the heat low, simmer the rice for 15 minutes after the water reaches a full boil. While the mixture is simmering, avoid lifting the lid or stirring it as it is cooking. Throughout the cooking process, it should remain at a gentle simmer at all times.
- Allow the rice to rest without lifting the lid for another five minutes after you have simmered it for 15 minutes.
- Lift the lid and fluff the rice with a fork after letting it rest. Hot food should be served.
Note
You should increase the amount of water to 2 cups and simmer the rice for 45 minutes instead of 15 minutes when cooking long grain brown rice. Remember to let the rice rest after you turn off the heat, just as you would with white rice.
Nutritional
Serving: 1 cup ・ Calories: 169 kcal ・ Carbohydrates: 37 g ・ Protein: 3 g ・ Fat: 1 g ・ Sodium: 152 mg ・ Fiber: 1 g
The nutritional values shown here are only estimates. Please see our nutrition disclaimer.
Equipment
Rice Cooking Guide – Step by Step Photos
Rice should be rinsed in a fine wire mesh strainer or in a bowl first. Pour off the rinse water carefully if you’re using a bowl. Swish the bowl around a few times then drain. You should repeat this process three to four times, rinsing as much water off as you can with each rinsing.
Put one cup of rice in a saucepot and add ¼ teaspoons of salt.
You should also add 1.5 cups of water to the mixture.
Make sure the water reaches a full boil by placing a lid on the pot and turning the heat to high.
Let the rice simmer for 15 minutes after it reaches a full boil. The lid should not be removed or the rice should not be stirred while simmering. Allow the rice to rest for five minutes after the heat is turned off (don’t lift the lid or stir) after simmering for 15 minutes.
To finish, lift the lid and fluff the rice with a fork once it has rested. Your favorite meal will taste better when served hot.
Solve Troubles
- Burned rice: Cookware that was thin caused hotspots on the bottom due to high heat, not enough water, or too much steam escaping while simmering.
- Mushy rice: The rice was stirred during cooking because too much water was used or not enough water was drained after rinsing.
- Crunchy rice: Insufficient water was used, too much steam was released during simmering (don’t lift the lid), uneven heating (outside edges didn’t simmer so rice couldn’t absorb water), and rice was not allowed to rest after simmering.
- Rice cooked unevenly: The burner was too small for the pot, the pot is thin and does not conduct heat equally, and the rice was not allowed to rest after simmering.
When Should You Use a Rice Cooker?
You still can’t figure it out? Nothing to worry about. There are times when using a rice cooker is the best option! You can cook more than rice using a rice cooker, and you can do other things while preparing your meal since rice cookers are generally inexpensive, versatile, and leave your hands free.
The use of a rice cooker is not something to be ashamed of.
You can use any tools to cook a delicious rice cooker for your family and it’s delicious. Do not worry if your home does not have a rice cooker or you do not know how to cook rice. After reading this article, you will draw for yourself a lot of experience and delicious cooking methods.
