Cook rice like a pro!

Cooking rice can be easy! You can prepare rice grains in different ways. Here comes the answer to the question, "How to cook rice properly?"

Too sticky, too firm, too solid or burnt? Cooking rice properly is a major challenge for many.

For fear of doing something wrong when cooking rice, letting it burn or out of insecurity, many people resort to cooking rice in a cooking bag. But this is complete nonsense.

First, the rice is really expensive comparatively. Secondly, it is anything but environmentally friendly. And third, some of the plastic dissolves in the water. So you're eating microplastics with every bite.

Have you ever wondered how to cook rice properly and how it becomes really perfect? We tell you how!

Rice is perfectly cooked when it is soft but still has a bit of bite.

By the way, did you know that there are 100,000 different varieties of rice in the world?

How you can cook rice with the swelling method

Probably the best known method to turn hard rice grains into soft ones is the swelling method. Cooking rice with the swelling method is very simple.

However, the amount of water and cooking time will depend on what type of rice you choose.

Yummy! Red lentils dal with brown rice!

The swelling method is perfect for basmati rice, Thai rice and jasmine rice.

What speaks for the source method

When cooking with this method is that the rice is cooked only in as much water as it eventually absorbs. Thus, it absorbs all the vitamins and nutrients.

What speaks against the source method

If you're not careful and stay close to the pot, the rice may burn.

Tip: You love rice? Do you already know the big rice book? You'll find 100 rice recipes from all over the world. You can order the book at Amazon.

1. wash the rice

To make your rice turn out really well, you need to prepare it before cooking, that is, wash it.

You can use a very fine sieve for this. Put the rice in a sieve. Place the sieve in a bowl.

Let the water run over the rice until there is water in the sieve. This way you can rinse it really well and then simply remove it with the sieve.

Alternatively, you can just put rice in a bowl and then wash it and pour off the water. However, this has the disadvantage that many kernels are lost on the way from sink to saucepan.

By the way, the rice is washed so that excess starch is removed. If you do not do this, the rice becomes very sticky.

2. determine the correct amount of water

Put the desired amount of rice in the pot and take 1.5 to 2 times the amount of water.

I put the rice grains in a teacup. This way you can easily determine the right amount of water.

1 cup rice = 1.5 to 2 cups water

This is the most straightforward method to determine the appropriate amount of water and rice.

3. cook the rice in the saucepan

The rice now goes into the pot with the water. Add a pinch of salt and put the lid on.

Now, cooking rice is all about getting the water to bubble.

Once it boils, turn the stove to the lowest setting.

Let the rice cook over low heat with the lid closed until the water has evaporated.

Tip: Rice also tastes wonderful when you add a teaspoon of vegetable broth powder.

4. the sample

Just because the water has now evaporated does not necessarily mean that rice cooking is complete. It may also be that the grains still have a hard core.

Grab a small fork and give it a taste.

Important: Before tasting, you should remove the pot from the stove. Otherwise the rice will burn!

Does the consistency fit? Very good!

Doesn't it fit? Add a little more water and let the rice cook again briefly. Then taste again and decide.

Mmmhh: Vegan curry with basmati rice!

How to prepare rice with the water method

We know the water method from cooking pasta or potatoes.

Especially novice cooks this method seems the simplest. But it is not. It is rather impractical and wastes water.

What speaks for the water method

The rice cannot burn because it has much more water available than it can absorb.

What speaks against the water method

You need a lot of water for this and it is harder to estimate when the rice is really cooked.

1. wash off rice

As with the swelling method, you must wash the kernels before cooking the rice.

It is best to use a sieve for this. After washing, put the rice in a pot.

2. determine the amount of water

With the water method, you just go by feel. However, at least double the amount of water must be added to the pot.

Salt the water and bring it to a boil with the rice.

3. the cooking time of rice

After the water boils, turn down the temperature.

Cooking rice and determining exactly the right time is not so easy with the water method.

Let the rice cook for about 10 to 15 minutes.

4. the sample

After that, you simply taste whether the rice grains are already cooked. If they are mushy, you have cooked them too long. Unfortunately, you can no longer save the rice. But you don't have to throw it away. It's just a little juicier. But it still tastes good.

If the kernels are too hard, let them steep in the water for a short time. Taste again after 3 minutes. Rice is cooked quite quickly.

When everything fits: Pour the rice-water mix through a sieve and you're done! :)

You simply must taste this pumpkin risotto!

What method is better to cook rice

So how do you cook rice better? Both ways work.

When cooking rice with the water method, you are guaranteed to be on the safe side. At least the risk of burning the kernels is significantly reduced.

However, if you're unlucky, the rice will overcook.

Since you're taking much more water than the rice needs, you're just dumping a lot of nutrients down the drain with the water.

This does not happen when cooking rice with the swelling method. In the end, there is no right and wrong. You have to decide for yourself what suits you better.

Cooking rice in rice stove

You love rice more than anything and would love to eat it every day? However, cooking rice every day can be quite annoying.

A wonderful alternative is a rice stove. Nothing can burn and nothing can go wrong. Cleaning is much easier and the rice is guaranteed to succeed.

Tip: Do you know the rice stove from Reishunger? You can prepare 1.2 liters of rice in it. It keeps the rice warm and ensures that your rice is just perfect. You can order the rice stove at Amazon.

How much rice is enough for one person

Cooking rice properly is one thing. The other is to determine the right amount. This is not so easy!

Did you know that you can make your own rice milk so easily?

So you do not have to eat rice for the next 3 days, here comes a little help :) Just weigh the seeds before cooking.

• 60-80 g if you take rice as a side dish
• 100-120 g if you use rice as a main dish when you are very hungry
• 80-100 g if you cook rice as a main dish when you are not very hungry
• 30 g if you take rice as a chowder for soup

To make your rice perfect, you need the right amount of water. Not every type of rice needs the same amount of water!

How much water you need with the swelling method

For the swelling method, you need the perfect amount of water. However, this always depends on the type of rice.

Prepare sushi rice in pot

needs the least water
The ratio is 1:1.2
So eg 100 grams of sushi rice and 120 ml of water
Cooking time: about 20 minutes

Prepare jasmine rice, long grain rice and basmati rice

need little water
The ratio is: 1:1.5
So eg 100 grams of basmati rice and 150 ml of water
Cooking time: about 20 minutes

Cook round grain rice and risotto

need medium amount of water
The ratio is 1:2
So for example 100 grams of round grain rice and 200 ml of water
Cooking time: about 20 minutes

Brown rice and unpolished rice

needs a little more water
The ratio is 1:2.3-2.5
So for example 100 grams of brown rice and 230 to 250 ml of water
Cooking time: about 40 minutes

Why you should wash rice before cooking

Most recipes say that you should wash rice. Nevertheless, most ignore this :) But why do you actually have to do that?

Mega delicious: Fruity tomato soup with rice!

If you want to eat a really fluffy loose rice, you can't avoid washing.

Before the garden, rinse the rice with cold, clear water. This rinses the excess starch from the kernels.

This way you'll prevent rice from sticking together while cooking.

Wash any rice. Except risotto and rice pudding. Because that's where it's supposed to stick. That's what makes the charm of this dish.

What you can do if your rice sticks

Instead of fluffy fluffy kernels, your rice is sticky and a giant pile of mush?

Do not stir when cooking rice

When the rice boils, immediately take out the cooking spoon. The rice will not burn as long as there is water in the pot.

As you stir, you'll release starch from the grains, which will ensure that you have slush in your rice pot.

Let the rice rest

Straight from the pot to the plate? Give the rice a little time. After cooking, you should let it stand for 5 minutes with the lid closed.

Only then is it served.

Loosen the rice kernels

Your rice has the perfect consistency but could be looser? Then loosen it up carefully with a fork.

Now it should be perfect!

Our conclusion

Preparing rice is not that difficult. Once you've got the hang of it, the next time it's a piece of cake. If you want to be sure, use the water method. If you want to retain all the nutrients, use the swelling method. And if you love rice more than anything else, you can buy a rice stove.

Good luck and meal :)

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