Rice is an indispensable dish in Vietnamese meals, but to cook delicious rice with each grain of rice soft and delicious is an art. Each type of rice has its own characteristics, and cooking rice properly will help make the meal more perfect. In this article, we will discover the secrets to cooking delicious rice, from choosing rice, how to wash rice, to water ratio and cooking time so that the rice achieves the desired deliciousness.
1. Choose the Right Rice
To cook delicious rice, choosing rice is the first and most important step. There are many different types of rice, from regular rice, sticky rice to brown rice, and each type of rice has a different cooking method and water ratio. Here are some common types of rice and their properties:
- Plain rice: The most popular type of rice, often used in daily meals. Regular rice can be sticky rice, fragrant rice, or dry rice depending on the type of rice. Sticky rice is usually soft and has high moisture, while dry rice will be looser and more spongy when cooked.
- Sticky rice: Sticky rice has sticky properties, often used to cook sticky rice or make traditional dishes. When cooking sticky rice, you need to adjust the amount of water less than regular rice to maintain the rice’s natural elasticity.
- Brown rice: Whole grain rice is rich in fiber and nutrients, however brown rice usually takes longer to cook and requires more water to soften the rice.
- Fragrant rice: Jasmine rice or Basmati rice are fragrant, long-grain rice types that, when cooked, will have a gentle scent, suitable for fried rice or mixed rice dishes.
Choosing the right type of rice not only helps the rice achieve softness but also retains the rice’s characteristic flavor.
2. How to Wash Rice Properly
Washing rice is a necessary step to remove dirt and impurities on the surface of the rice, but washing rice too thoroughly can lose the rice bran layer that contains many nutrients. Therefore, you just need to wash the rice gently with cold water 1-2 times and that’s enough. Steps to properly wash rice include:
- Pour the rice into the pot, then add enough cold water to cover the rice.
- Use your hands to gently rub the rice to remove impurities. Pour out the rice water after washing gently.
- Repeat 1-2 more times with cold water until the rice water is clearer.
Washing rice properly will help keep the rice grains clean but still retain important nutrients and help the cooked rice taste better.
3. Water and Rice Ratio
The ratio of water and rice is an important factor that determines whether the rice is soft or not. The water to rice ratio may vary depending on the type of rice you use. Here are some suggestions for a reasonable ratio of water and rice:
- Plain rice: Normally, the ratio is 1 part rice and 1.5 parts water. For example, if you cook 1 cup of rice, you need to add 1.5 cups of water. However, if you like sticky rice, you can increase the water ratio a little.
- Sticky rice: Sticky rice requires less water, usually 1 part rice and 1 part water. This helps the sticky rice retain its elasticity without becoming mushy.
- Brown rice: Brown rice requires more water and takes longer to cook. The usual ratio is 1 part rice and 2 parts water to ensure soft brown rice.
Adjusting the water and rice ratio appropriately will help cook rice to achieve softness and not be dry or mushy.
4. Cook Rice Properly
The way rice is cooked also greatly affects the quality of rice. You can cook rice with a rice cooker or a regular pot, but there are a few tips to keep in mind to make the rice more delicious:
Cooking Rice Using a Rice Cooker
- Make sure the rice cooker is clean and dry before adding rice and water.
- Choose the appropriate rice cooking mode, such as white rice, sticky rice, or brown rice depending on the type of rice.
- After the rice is cooked, leave the rice cooker in keep warm mode for about 10-15 minutes before stirring the rice. This helps the rice grains cook evenly and taste better.
Cooking Rice Using a Regular Pot
- Boil water before adding rice to the pot.
- Boil over low heat when the water and rice have boiled, cover tightly to prevent steam from escaping.
- Regularly check to adjust the fire appropriately to avoid burning rice or drying out water too quickly.
No matter how you cook it, letting the rice “rest” after cooking helps the rice grains drain and reach perfect softness.
5. Notes When Storing Rice
Rice should be eaten immediately after cooking to retain its flavor and softness. If you don’t eat it all, you can store the rice in the refrigerator and reheat it when needed. Here are some tips for properly preserving rice:
- Let cool before storing: Before putting the rice in the refrigerator, let the rice cool completely to avoid the rice steaming and becoming mushy.
- Store in an airtight container: Place the rice in an airtight container to retain moisture and prevent the rice from drying out.
- Reheat properly: When reheating rice, you can add a little water and cover the container tightly to prevent the rice from drying out during the reheating process.
By storing properly, rice still retains its delicious flavor and quality when you use it for your next meal.
Cooking tips
Cooking rice seems simple but requires meticulousness and attention to every small detail. From choosing rice, washing rice, to water ratio and cooking method, every step affects the taste and quality of the rice dish. Hopefully with the above tips, you will easily cook delicious, soft and attractive rice for your family!