There are so many delicious dishes you can make with rice! It is also the best side dish for meat and fish. But a lot can go wrong when cooking. Do you have difficulty determining the right ratio of rice to water so that it doesn't become too grainy or too mushy? Learn how to cook rice using the soaking method for guaranteed success.
Cooking rice using the soaking method: This is how you are guaranteed to succeed
You can simply cook rice with plenty of water and then drain off the excess liquid. However, it is often difficult to know when the right time is to take it off the stove. In addition, many useful nutrients are lost with this method. So that you don't waste any minerals and vitamins, you should prepare rice using the healthy soaking method.
Wash before cooking
Before you start cooking, it is recommended to wash the rice. This is necessary to remove the excess starch and not get a sticky paste. But contamination and dust can also be removed in this way.
Place the desired amount in a fine-mesh sieve and wash the grains under running water, shaking them with your hands. Repeat the process until the liquid looks clear.
You can also soak the rice briefly before cooking to remove unwanted substances such as arsenic and reduce cooking time.
Tipp:At thePreparation of rice puddingand risotto it should not be washed.
Cooking rice using the swelling method: step-by-step instructions
With the swelling method, only as much water is added to the rice as it can absorb. It is particularly suitable for jasmine rice, basmati rice and red rice. You just need to know the right amount for each variety. For most types of rice, take 1 part rice to 1.5 parts water, for whole grain rice – to 2 parts water. For better flavor, you can use an equal amount of chicken or vegetable broth instead of water.
- Wash the desired amount of rice as described above and drain well.
- Put the rice in a pot and add the right amount of water depending on the type.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat and add a pinch of salt.
- Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pot if desired to save some energy.
- Stir the contents of the pot occasionally with a wooden spoon to prevent it from settling on the bottom.
- Once all the water has been absorbed, remove the pot from the heat. The cooking time varies from 15 to 35 minutes depending on the variety.
- Season the rice as desired and serve warm.
How long does each variety take?
The cooking time depends on the type of rice, with lighter types of rice usually taking less time.
- Basmati rice: 15 minutes
- Jasmine rice and long grain rice: 20 minutes
- Brown rice/brown rice: 30 minutes
- Red rice and wild rice: 40 minutes
