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Rice is one of the most widely eaten dishes in the world, and for good reason. It’s versatile, nutritious, and pretty easy to cook. You can eat it with just about any food, including sweets, and it tastes pretty good too.
While rice is not known for it’s exciting flavor profile, there are several ways you can amplify your basic rice into something a little more special. Whether you’re serving it up with chicken, fish, or putting it in an amazing rice pudding, it doesn’t have to be bland and boring, and can in some instances, even be the star of the show.
Read on for tips on getting the most out of this widely eaten, staple food.
1. Choose the Right Type of Rice
If you think rice only comes in the brown and white varieties, you might be very surprised to know that nothing is further from the truth. There are literally tens of thousands of different types of rice that are said to exist around the world. While you obviously can’t get each and every one of them in your supermarket, you can definitely branch out a little bit.
Before choosing the type of rice you prepare, decide which type of dish you’re eating it in. Sushi rice is very sticky, while Arborio rice will produce a creamy, starchy risotto. Each culture and cuisine likely has it’s staple type of rice, and knowing which is which will take you a long way in making your dish as authentic and delicious as possible.
2. Wash It
Ever wonder why that Basmati rice you always get at your favorite Indian restaurant is always light and fluffy, while yours turns out sticky and gummy? It’s because following the directions on the package isn’t always the best way to cook it.
Most types of rice can benefit from rinsing well under cold water before cooking. To do this, simply put the dried rice in a bowl and move your hand around it. Drain, rinse, and repeat until the water runs clear. This removes a lot of the starch that causes your rice to gum up. Some types of rice even benefit from soaking for a half hour after this and before cooking.
This doesn’t apply to all types of rice, however. It’s best to learn the proper cooking technique for the rice you are preparing before just cooking and serving it.
3. Toast It
Rather than just putting a cup of rice in a pot on the stove with two cups of water and bringing it to a boil, try getting an extra dimension of flavor out of your rice by toasting it.
To do this, heat a tablespoon or so of fat in your pot and then add your rice. Stir the rice until it is coated in the fat and then allow it to toast until it’s nice and browned. This may take several minutes; you’ll begin to smell it as it develops that nutty flavor.
Once it is toasted to your liking, add your liquid, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer to continue cooking. When it’s done, your rice will have a nice, toasty flavor that will add to almost any dish.
4. Leave it Alone
To cook properly in the right amount of time, you must bring your liquid to a boil and then cover your pot and reduce to a simmer. Once you do this, it’s important to keep the lid on the pot until the cooking time is up. For most white rice, this is about 20 minutes. For brown, it’s about 50 minutes. Lifting up the lid will allow steam to escape the pot, adding time to your rice, and making you wonder why it’s so difficult to do.
Once your time is up, it’s a good idea to turn the heat off and allow the rice to sit in the pot for a good 10 minutes or so before taking the lid off to be sure the liquid is absorbed.
5. Make a Pilaf
A pilaf is a rice dish that is cooked with vegetables and herbs. It’s easy to do. Simply chop or slice your additional ingredients before you’re ready to cook. When you’re ready, heat some oil in your pot, add the extra ingredients and cook until soft. Add the rice, stir to coat and add your liquid.
Generally, a well-seasoned stock or broth is used. Bring to a boil and cook as usual for a tasty, flavorful side dish.
6. Season When It’s Done
You should wait to season your rice when it’s done cooking instead of adding salt to the cooking water. The exception is if you’re using a seasoned broth. This way, you can taste your rice when it is done and season it to you liking.
When your rice is done cooking, fluff with a fork, season to taste, and serve.
7. Be Creative When Choosing Liquids
Water is the most obvious liquid when cooking rice, but you can use almost anything. Stocks or broths are often used, but you can also use fruit juice, milk wine, or even tea. Some liquids may be diluted, such as wine or strongly flavored juice.
To choose the liquid you’re going to use, think about your dish and what flavors go best with it. If you’re going to use the rice in more than one dish, it may be best to stick with water or neutral tasting stock.
8. Use the Right Temperature Rice For Fried Rice
Want your fried rice to turn out as good as those in your favorite take out place? Cook your rice and allow it to cool completely. Drying it out a little bit will help it brown up better when you cook it in oil. If you have leftover rice in the fridge, always bring it to room temperature before attempting to use it in fried rice. Throwing cold rice in a hot pan will cause it to stick before it will brown.
9. Cook Extra
If you eat a lot of rice throughout the week, cook up enough for several meals in one batch. This is especially helpful if you eat a lot of brown rice that takes an hour to cook. This way, when you come home from work, you can make a quick stir-fry or vegetable bowl without having to wash a bunch of dishes every night.
10. Get a Rice Cooker
In some cultures, a rice cooker is a staple kitchen appliance because it allows you to cook rice in the morning and keep it warm until dinner. A rice cooker is an easy way to cook rice for anyone that eats it on a regular basis, and once you have one, you may find yourself wondering how you ever lived without it!
Conclusion
Whether you eat rice with every meal or just once in a while, knowing which type of rice to use for which dish, as well as knowing how to bring out its flavor is important in creating a dish that is worth eating. Rice doesn’t have to be boring; it can be the best part of the meal. Follow these tips to make sure your rice stands out in a crowd.