How to cook rice? Even though rice is one of the most utilised ingredients as well as side dishes, there are still doubts interconnected with how to properly prepare it. Different recipes and cultures suggest various tricks on how to achieve the right taste, aroma and, most importantly, how to make rice as simply and quickly as possible. Hana’s Recipes has combined several tips together, so let’s prepare rice today without your regrets at the end!
But first, a little bit from the history
It will probably not surprise anyone that the history of rice is mainly intertwined with the human civilisation development on the Asian continent. It is believed that for the first time, rice originated in the region of the Yangtze River. It happened approximately 10 000 years ago. Rice immediately became favourite among inhabitants and thanks to frequent trade and migration, it was able to spread to parts such as India, Southern Asia and later even Middle East, Africa and America.
It didn’t take long for rice to become so called “staple food for over half of the world’s population”. Its quickly evolving journey from simple wild grass to a globally essential crop sounds almost unbelievable to most people. Right after rice reached the Middle East through Persia (today’s Iran) and Mesopotamia, it spread into Egypt and then via Arab traders into the Mediterranean area. During the medieval times, rice got into Spain and Italy too, specifically as a crucial ingredient into meals like risotto and paella.
Nowadays and as already suggested from the rich history of rice, the ingredient is famous on every continent except Antarctica. The most well-known rice producers remain to be countries like China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Vietnam. It is also fascinating to see that rice is not considered to be an ordinary food source. In many Asian societies, rice is a symbol of life and fertility, being worshipped during plenty of significant festivals and rituals. Rice also provides an economic advantage, supporting millions of small farmers and having a key role in food security as well as in reduction of poverty.
However, the prime question still stands on how to cook rice properly and efficiently. Let’s take a look at the photo recipe below that Hana’s Recipes blog is bringing to you! Good luck with the preparation!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of rice,
- 1.5 cups of boiling water (the ratio 1:1.5 is important),
- 1 medium onion,
- 2 tablespoons of oil or lard,
- A few drops of lemon juice,
Spices:
- Salt,
- 3 grains of whole black pepper,
- 5 cloves
How to cook rice: Simple and efficient preparation
1
First, measurements need to take place. 1.5 cups of boiling water suit one cup of rice. Wash it thoroughly to remove the starch. This is the reason what causes rice to stick. Then prepare the onion. You can either put it in as a whole and stick cloves in it or cut it in half.
2Drain the washed rice in a sieve, so that it becomes dry. Fry together with finely chopped onions. Steamed rice is much tastier and smells wonderful.
3Fry it along with the onion in oil (grease) until it becomes translucent, stirring constantly so that it does not burn. When frying, the starch inside is sealed. Even if choosing sliced onions, the process remains the same.
4Next, boil the water. Pour it over the fried measured rice. The ratio (mentioned within Ingredients) is very important. Add salt and possibly whole black pepper. Cover it all and simmer on a low heat for 15-20 minutes. After 15 minutes, check if the rice has become soft, then uncover it to let the remaining steam escape.
5
If you have a lid with holes, it’s ideal to use it for the steam to escape, so the rice doesn’t stick. If you don’t have such a cover, you can use the classic one and uncover it a little, so that there is a small space for the steam to escape. Then add a few drops of lemon juice to the rice along with the water. Steamed rice will become perfectly white.
Good job! Now you are aware of the tricks on how to cook rice without becoming sticky but rather tasteful and aromatic!
Since your rice is done now, you might need something else to serve it with. Hana’s Recipes blog recommends trying out their spicy chicken wings, well-seasoned salmon as well as pineapple chicken curry. Bon appetite!
Similar tricks on how to cook rice correctly
FAQ: Why is it beneficial to cook rice in the first place?
Rice itself contains a lot of carbohydrates that supply our bodies with energy. Additionally, it is naturally gluten-free, so it can be consumed by many people being limited with their dietary preferences, celiac disease and high gluten sensitivity causing strong allergies. Rice is also considered to be low in fat and sodium, so unless no additional fats and salts are utilised, it is a safe heart-healthy side dish.
