How to Cook White Rice

Three Methods:Basic StovetopGentle BoilRice Cooker

White rice is a starchy staple that goes with everything: meat, vegetables, soups and stews. Cooking rice can be tricky, though; you need the right ratio of rice to water, and you have to make sure not to over or undercook it. Everyone seems to swear by a different method of cooking rice, and it's best to experiment until you find one that works for you. This article provides three different methods for cooking rice: the basic stovetop method, the gentle boil method, and the rice cooker method.

Method 1
Basic Stovetop

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    Fill a pot with water and place it on the stove. For this method you'll be using 1 part rice to 1 3/4 parts water.
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    Rinse your rice in clean water.
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    Add 1 Tbsp oil to the water in the pot.
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    Bring the water and oil to a boil.
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    Put the rice in the pot, add about 1 Tbsp salt, and stir.
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    Bring the water back to a boil, stirring occasionally.
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    Cover the pot with a tight lid.
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    Allow the rice to cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not take off the lid or stir.
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    When the rice is finished, pour it into a wood, glass, or metal salad bowl. Take a plastic spatula, and cut the rice, making slashing motions across the bowl. Don't stir, cut. Stirring will release the starch and make the rice gooey. Cutting will lower the temperature, and will allow the starch to set and will make the rice easier to form separately.

Method 2
Gentle Boil

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    Fill a pot with water and place it on the stove. For this method you will be using 1 part rice to 2 parts water.
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    Add a teaspoon of salt to the water and bring it to a boil.
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    Rinse the rice in clean water.
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    Add the rice to the pot and reduce the heat so the water slows to a simmer. Allow the rice to simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
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    Remove the rice from the heat. Fluff to serve.

Method 3
Rice Cooker

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    Rinse the amount of rice you wish to cook.
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    Pour the rice into the rice cooker.
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    Pour the same amount of water as rice, plus an extra 1/2 cup, into the rice cooker. The rice cooker doesn't require as much water as the stovetop cooking methods.
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    Add salt, oil or butter into the rice cooker if desired.
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    Close the rice cooker and turn it on. Allow it to cook according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Article Info

Categories: Food Preparation | Rice and Beans