Recipe Station

Rice has been a side dish to many meals for almost everyone all across the world for many years. We like it because it is easy, affordable and get be adapted to fit any meal. However, knowing how to cook rice perfectly and which rice you should make have been things that many of us have never quite be able to master.

Everything You Need To Know About Rice & How To Cook It Includes:

Arborio rice contains a high proportion of starch that gives risotto its characteristic creamy texture.

Bamboo rice is a white rice infused with fresh bamboo juice, which imparts a pale jade color when cooked and a fragrance similar to jasmine tea. A very moist, sticky rice.

Basmati rice is a long grained rice that stays separate (not sticky) when cooked. It has a subtle flavor and is aromatic.

Brown rice is actually white rice without the outer brown hull removed, so it’s considered a whole grain. It contains more nutrients and fiber than white rice.

Colusari red rice is burgundy-colored whole-grain rice. It has a light, nutty popcorn-like flavor and chewy texture that blends well with other rice or grains.

Jasmine rice is a fragrant white rice with a subtle nutty flavor that differs from basmati. It is less sticky than other forms of rice.

Organic sweet brown rice is sweeter and more glutinous than regular brown rice with the added benefits of whole grain.

White rice includes three main types, each with different characteristics. Long-grain white rice stays separate and fluffier when cooked, and it’s good for side dishes. Medium-grain rice is plumper and shorter; good for paella or as a substitute for Arborio in risotto. Short-grain white rice is the shortest and most moist; good for puddings and molded salads.

Did you know? Wild rice is not actually rice at all, but rather a long-grain marsh grass that in the past was harvested by local residents in the Great Lakes area. Now it is cultivated commercially in many states, so it is much more available than in the past. Nutty and chewy, wild rice has a wonderful texture and flavor. It is a whole grain that contains a good amount of protein and fiber, is low in fat and contains no gluten.
How to Cook Rice

Regular rice (long, medium and short-grain) takes the longest to cook.

Converted rice is partially cooked and takes less time to make.

When you are really in a hurry, instant white rice is the fastest, cooking in about 5 minutes.

Instant or precooked brown rice is also quick, but takes just a bit longer: about 10 minutes.
To cook rice, bring rice and water to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover and follow the specific directions for each kind of rice. (These directions each require 1 cup of rice.)

Basmati White: Cook 1 cup rice in 1 ½ c water. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Yield: 3 cups of rice.

Jasmine: Cook 1 cup rice in 1 ¾ c water. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Yield: 3 cups of rice.

Long-grain white rice: Cook 1 cup rice in 2 c water. Simmer 15 minutes. Yield: 3 cups of rice.

Parboiled (converted) white rice: Cook 1 cup rice in 2 ½ c water. Simmer 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Yield: 3 to 4 cups of rice.

Precooked (instant) white rice: Cook 1 cup rice in 1 c water. After stirring in rice, cover and remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Yield: 2 cups of rice.

Long-grain brown (regular and basmati): Cook 1 cup rice in 2 ¾ c water. Simmer 45 to 50 minutes. Yield: 4 cups of rice.

Precooked (instant) brown rice: Cook 1 cup rice in 1 ¼ c water. Simmer 10 minutes. Yield: 2 cups of rice.

To cook wild rice, rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water to remove debris. Use the correct amount of water: 2 ½ cups water for 1 cup uncooked wild rice.

Remember that it takes longer than white or brown rice to cook – up to 1 hour. Cook until the kernels “pop.” Overcooked rice will be mushy.

Now You Can Enjoy All The Rice You Want!

These tips for which rice to choose and how to cook it will have you making perfect rice with all your meals. Have you tried these tips for cooking rice before?

Let Us Know How They Worked Out For You!

Article & Photo Source: Betty Crocker