How do you cook perfect rice?

Fen1

What type of rice are you cooking? Wholegrain will obviously take longer than basmati etc, so be aware of the type.
If you over-cook any rice, it will be awful.
However, the same rule applies to all rice.
1. Big saucepan. The rice needs to move freely to stop it sticking.
2. Boiling water in the pan, a standard kettleful to about 4oz, 120g ( standard portion for two people).
3. Wholegrain doesn't really need salt, or add a teaspoon if desired. Or a veg stockcube.
4. Bring to the boil, turn down to simmer with the lid on.
5. Check after 10 mins. Fine grain rice should be almost done.
MONEY SAVING TIP. Turn off the heat, and allow the rice to finish cooking in the residual heat (lid on).
6. Fine grained rice should be done in about 10 mins, total time 20 mins ish.
7. Wholegrain rice might need simmering for 15 mins, then heat-off for another 15 - 20 mins.
IMPORTANT. Check your heat-off times by tasting the rice every 5 mins or so until you are used to the cooking method.
8. Rinse the lot under freshly boiled water.

9. If not serving the rice straight away, drain the rice when still slightly al-dente, rinse under boiling water, then sit the rice in your colander in the saucepan with a bit of the drained water in the pan, lid on. This means the rice will gently steam-cook and keep warm until you need it. This will keep your rice warm for up to 30 mins.

FunkyFairy

I need help with cooking rice.

When ever i cook it i end up with a mushy mess.

How do you cook rice and get a perfect result?

msmicawber

I measure out the rice in a cup, then use 1.5 times the volume of water (for white rice, twice the volume of water to rice for brown rice) bring it to the boil, stir it, put a lid on and turn the heat right down then leave it until all the water has been absorbed. If you tip the saucepan slightly you'll see if there's any water left. Once it's all absorbed, turn the heat out and stir it lightly with a fork to fluff it up. If you leave it a couple of minutes on the warm hob that ensures it's completely dry.

count_rostov

Measure the rice into a pan - I use one small cup/person. Wash it thoroughly and drain through a sieve. Measure out the water, using 1 1/2 cups per cup of rice. Fit a lid on the pan TIGHTLY, if you don't have a tight-fitting lid use a sheet of foil and fit the lid over the top, bring to the boil and immediately put on the lowest heat you can, either a flicker of a gas flame or the bottom of the simmering oven if you have an Aga/Rayburn. I've never used electric but I guess you can get it really low? Leave it for about half an hour or so before looking to see if it's cooked. Don't look earlier as this method steams the rice and if you let the steam out it will end up crunchy and mushy at the same time.

FunkyFairy

Sounds like i have had the heat to high:eek:. Thanks for the tips. I will have a practice run in a min.

I can always use the rice in a salad for lunch if i manage to do it :j

JennyW_2

I've always found my best results come from using Basmati rice. I rinse it prior to use and then once it's cooked, I put it in a sieve and pour boiling water over it.

squeaky

FunkyFairy wrote: »

I need help with cooking rice.

When ever i cook it i end up with a mushy mess.

How do you cook rice and get a perfect result?

Hi

I've added your post onto an ealier thread which should give you plenty of different techniques to try.

Good luck

Daisy_Daisy_2

FunkyFairy wrote: »

I need help with cooking rice.

When ever i cook it i end up with a mushy mess.

How do you cook rice and get a perfect result?

Hi, basically you are just overcooking it a little, you need to stop cooking before the ends of the rice blow and all the starch comes out!
rinsing the rice beforehand helps too.
keep checking the rice during cooking and stop while it still has a bit of 'bite' to it. then rinse afterwards too.
hope that helps!

FunkyFairy

I did it. I managed for the 1st time ever to cook rice.

Thanks guys you are all fab :T

Pitlanepiglet

Blimey some complicated ways of cooking rice!!

I bung about the right amount of rice in a saucepan, cover it with cold water and about the same again (not scientific!), stick it on the hob without a lid, heat until it boils then stick a lid on it, turn the heat off and leave it for 15 minutes or so....dead simple...

To add a veggie content, add frozen peas at the beginning as well and they cook nicely as well.