Jan 9, 2010

Jack’s Recipes - How to Cook Rice

I mention rice in a few of my recipes, so I have gotten quite a few emails asking me how I prepare rice and what type of rice I use.

I use Indian Basmati Rice
















Here is how to Cook Basmati Rice:
Basmati is a variety of long grain rice, famous for its subtle aroma and delicious taste. The grains of Basmati rice are much longer, they are wide and they grow even longer as they cook. They stay firm and separate, not sticky, after cooking.
When cooked, Basmati rice puffs up length-wise and becomes very fluffy, fantastic for mingling with spicy foods and sauces.

Steps in Cooking Basmati Rice

Preparation:
Before using either method to cook the rice, do the following:
Rinse the Basmati Rice with cold water thoroughly before cooking, because there is so much starch clinging to its grains. Wash two to three times with your hands.
Then leave to soak for about 30 minutes in fresh cold water.


1) - Stove-Top Method:
Directions-
Put the Basmati Rice into a medium saucepan.
Drain the water again and then fill with fresh water.
The quantity of water should be a ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1 1/2 cups water to boil if you want firm rice.
Add the correct amount of water and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Bring to a boil.
Make sure you cook it in a heavy pot and do not disturb the rice or take a peek while its in the middle of cooking.
When it boils, lower the heat, simmer for 12 - 14 minutes before turning off the heat.
Remove from heat and stand covered, for another 5-10 minutes. until you're ready to serve. The rice should have absorbed all the water and will just need fluffing up with a spoon or fork.


2) - Cooking Basmati Rice Using the Rice Cooker:
Directions-
Important Note: This is my preferred method of cooking rice.
If you are not comfortable using the stove-top method you can always use the rice cooker as an alternative, using a rice cooker to cook Basmati or any type of rice is simple and convenient.
Put the desired amount of rice you need in the bowl of the rice cooker.















Wash the Basmati Rice and adjust the quantity of water.
Example: If you use 2 cups of Basmati Rice, the water level in the rice cooker should be 2 1/2 level, if you like your grains more tender.
Or 2 cups of rice, the water should be in 2 level of the rice cooker if you want firm rice.
When the rice is cooked, the rice cooker will automatically turn down the heat so there is not a problem of burning the rice.
Once done, let sit for about 10-minutes, open and fluff with fork or spoon.


For some healthy food serve this as a veggie side dish, with any meal, dish up onto serving plate or into bowl and just add butter to the hot rice.
My children grew up loving this and my grandchildren love it to.
Try following the Asian method, eat rice with a spoon. For children this is certainly easier and they wont get frustrated trying to eat it with a fork.

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Now You're Cooking with JACK
Just Another One of Jack's Famous Recipes
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Thank you.


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2 comments:

ronnie said...

Basmati rice good choice Jack, use it all the time for my rice dishes.

Love.
Ronnie
xx

Unknown said...

Love my Rice Cooker...it's perfect for steaming veggies also!
Good post!
~AM