Friday, February 18, 2011

Directions For Cooking Rice

Rice is a popular food in much of the world.


In the supermarket, you will see many different varieties of rice to choose from. In the U.S., long grain white rice is the most popular choice.


Instructions


In a sieve, rinse and drain one cup of white long grain rice. Place the rice in a pan with a tight fitted lid. Add 1 tsp. of oil or butter and 1/2 tsp. of salt (optional). Add two cups of water. Bring water to a boil. Cover the pan with the lid and let it simmer until water is absorbed. After water has absorbed (15 to 20 minutes), remove from heat and let the rice sit with the lid on for five minutes. Fluff the rice gently before serving.


Tips


Soaking rice for 30 minutes will reduce the cooking time. Rinse rice several times before cooking to remove some of the starch; this helps to separate the grains. Stirring the rice during and after cooking will make it sticky. One cup of uncooked rice will give you about three cups of cooked rice. Use leftover rice in soup, stir fry or salad.


Other Popular Rice


Short and medium grain rice is softer and more sticky. Short grain is often used in desserts like rice pudding and is good for rice balls and sushi. Enriched rice has nutrients added and should not be washed. Converted rice has been pressure steamed, which results in a firm fluffy rice, a good choice for a side dish. Brown rice also comes in different grains; because it is less processed than white rice, it retains more of its nutrients and takes longer to cook. Instant rice is precooked, which is helpful if you are in a rush.







Tags: grain rice, long grain, rice with, water absorbed, white rice