One of the basic cooking skills every home cook should know is how to make prepared rice. Aside from making a delicious side dish, this grain can also be used in soups and sautees. If you don’t want to cook the rice in a pot, you can use a rice cooker or a microwave. Either way, you’ll need a good lidded pot.
The first step is to wash your rice. You can do this by swishing it in water with your hands or by transferring it to a fine mesh strainer. This helps remove excess starch from the grains. Once you’ve finished rinsing, you should put the rice back into the pot and cover it with several inches of water. Keep the lid on the pot until the rice is ready to be served.
Depending on the type of rice you’re making, the water-to-rice ratio will vary. For long-grain white rice, you don’t have to rinse it. Likewise, other types of rice require soaking. Soaking breaks up the clumped grains and helps them cook more evenly.
Once you’ve gathered the ingredients you’ll need, you can start the cooking process. Most varieties of rice are best cooked in 1 to 2 cups of water. However, if you prefer a more broth-based dish, you can substitute two cups of broth for the water. As you cook, stir in fresh herbs and spices.
After about 10 minutes, remove the lid from the pot and fluff the rice with a fork. This will help create the fluffier texture you’re looking for.
If your rice looks like it needs more time, add a splash of boiling water to the pot. If your rice is still hard, it could be too overcooked. Try adding another tablespoon of water.
If you’re using a rice cooker, place it on the lowest setting. It may take a few minutes for the cooker to reach low heat. When the rice is done, you can serve it immediately or you can put it into a bowl and store it in a resealable container.
The final step is to let the hot rice rest. This allows the steam from the hot rice to give it the perfect texture. Don’t peek at it, as you don’t want to burn it. Using a lidded pot will ensure that the steam doesn’t escape. Alternatively, you can use a tea towel to cover the rice for ten minutes.
Once the rice has cooled, it can be stored in an airtight container for a few days. It’s best to cool it on a large plate.
If you don’t have a rice cooker, you can cook the rice on the stove. To do this, follow these guidelines:
Cover the rice with a lid and leave it on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir it occasionally, but don’t overcook it.
If you have an electric stove, it can take a little while for the temperature to switch from high to low. Be sure to turn the stove off when you’re done cooking.
