Idiots guide to making Rice?

herbal

Can anyone offer advice on how to make Rice?

We nomally use those 2 min packet jobs but thought i try normal packet rice today and it turned into more or less glue?

I was trying Basmati rice, and followed the packet. It said bring water to boil, add rice and then simmer for 15mins.

But it tasted very bad.

Any help

pinky8

I had the same problem as you.

I now put the desired amount of rice in a microwaveable bowl and twice the amount of water (cold). (e.g 1 cup rice, 2 cups water etc)

Then i put it in the mircrowave for 13-15 mins.

I hope this helps

bigmuffins

Well everyone has their particular failsafe method - this is mine (I only ever use basmati):

ABSORPTION Method
Measure your basmati rice - I generally use a mugful for 2 people. Rinse 3-4 times in cold water until water runs clear (washes away dust and starch) then soak for about 20 mins in enough water to cover + about inch more (rice absorbs some of the water)
Then boil 11/2 times the volume of water in pan (ie if have used 1 mug - you need to boil 11/2 mugs of water) add salt (we use a about 1/2 - 3/4 level teaspoon for 1 mug).
Drain rice and add to boiling water, bring back to boil and keep on high heat until water is absorbed and steam holes develop. Then cover with lid and reduce heat to low as possible. Cook like this for 15 mins. Turn off heat and serve.

If in rush and don't have time to pre-soak rice, just wash rice and add to TWICE the volume of boiling water (ie for 1 mug rice use 2 mugs water).

This method works for any volume of basmati rice.
Hope is clear!

StephenB_2

herbal wrote:

Can anyone offer advice on how to make Rice?

We nomally use those 2 min packet jobs but thought i try normal packet rice today and it turned into more or less glue?

I was trying Basmati rice, and followed the packet. It said bring water to boil, add rice and then simmer for 15mins.

But it tasted very bad.

Any help

More water. I use three pints (a kettleful, whatever that is in litres) for two peoplesworth. And boil it, uncovered; don't simmer it.

SJB

Nile

Hello herbal


I've moved your thread to the 'Old Style' board, where the cooking experts are bound to have lots of helpful tips for you.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [email="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/email].

Regards

Nile

Tim_L

I have an absolutely foolproof method. Equal quantities of Basmati rice (Tesco or Asda economy is fine) and water by volume (I use an expresso coffee cup as a measure), then about 1/4 as much water again. I don't wash the rice, this breaks it and can make it more starchy.

Then put it on an electric hob absolutely full blast with a heavy lid on the pan until it shows signs of starting to simmer. Immediately turn off the power, and the residual heat will cook the rice, which will be perfect after 20mins-half an hour.

Probably would work on Gas too, but I'd turn the heat down to minimum rather than turning it off completely.

Doodles

Hi
My stepdad taught me how to make perfect basmati rice - he was African and Africans make great rice I've found in my experience!

Rinse the rice thoroughly and place in a saucepan. Add cold water until there is about 1cm above the level of the rice (note - this is a guide I use for rice for 1-2 people, if you are cooking loads of rice then perhaps 1half-2cms of water would be better, but its trial and error on this bit!). Add sprinkling of salt and a knob of butter (although this is optional, it tastes nicer with the salt/butter). Put a tight fitting lid on so air cannot escape, if you have a badly fitting lid then line it with kitchen foil.

Turn hob on full blast and within 3-4 mins the steam will be bubbling out, almost lifting the lid off. Take off lid and stir the rice very quickly. Put lid back on tightly and turn the flame down to its very lowest, until you can't turn the knob any lower in fact.

Leave for 12 mins and then check. When checking do it quickly by spooning a few grains out with a fork and replacing the lid. If still a bit hard, then leave another 2-3 mins to contine cooking in its own steam.

Hope this helps - its always given me perfect rice and I've yet to find a better way.

Edited: I should mention I have only ever cooked on a gas cooker, so the timing may need to be adjusted through trial and error if cooking on electric perhaps

seraphina

I have a microwave rice cooker which we got from Lakeland. Betterware etc sell them as well for under £10.

It's far and away the easiest method of getting perfect rice - add hot water and rice (we had a leaflet with the steamer which told us how much to use), zap for 5 mins, stir, zap for 6 mins, stand for 2 mins, eat!

GIRLPOWER_2

seraphina wrote:

I have a microwave rice cooker which we got from Lakeland. Betterware etc sell them as well for under £10.

OOOHHHH... I would be interested in one of those... anyone seen them at a bargain price????

Pink.

Hi herbal,

This older thread might help you: Anyone got a foolproof way of making rice?

Pink

Sarahsaver

I have a rice cooker and I would never go back to cooking it in a pan. Never made rice though, I thought it was grown LOL;)