Help with sticky rice please

wanna-be-mortgage-free_2

Hi there
Ok I'm not a great cook, I admit that but I do try and my children eat most of my HM dishes BUT I'm having so much trouble with my Basmati Rice.

I follow the instructions properly but it turns out to be a big pile of mushy rice - not nice at all.

What am I doing wrong

moggins

I had this problem too and have always used american easy cook rice because of it but my asian neighbour helped out and I've got it right ever since, she said I was cooking it for too long and I should rinse it first. If it still goes sticky then rinse it well in hot water and put it in the oven to dry off slightly. The stickiness is caused by the starch in the rice.

Gingham_Ribbon

Have a look at the mega index sticky. There is some info on rice here.

Also, Delia has a 'how to cook' section on her delia online site. I am sure she gives good advice on this.

tim_n

very slightly undercook and run through with boiling water (or cold first if you have really cheap basmalti rice followed by boiling). Rice carries on cooking in the pot so don't wait too long before serving either!

liz.._4

fry it first in a bit of oil and then add boiling water...

ianian99

after you darin the water from it pour boiling water through it

Turning_into_scrooge

I eat rice daily (it cured me extremely bad IBS) I use Thai rice which is dearer unless you buy it by the sack load from a Chinese grocers. I also cook it in a rice cooker than cost me £9.99 form Argos. The trick is to put the rice into a bowl cover it with water and run your fingers through it slowly to release the starch that coats the rice, drain it and cover it with water to about 1/2 inch over the top of the rice and cook. I usually stir fry onion, garlic peppers a carrot and beef chicken or pork and throw it in with the rice and cook together.

Edit this is how my sons girlfriend cooks rice and she is Thai.:)

[Deleted User]

I had a big problem with sticky basmati rice and I also posted a thread on here a few months ago. I persisted with the rest of the rice and it did help to use less water and just one stir. That was tesco cheap rice. I went onto tilda and the rice is now perfect every time

must be lower grade rice imo

zombiecazz

microwave the rice. use twice as much boiling water as rice for one cup of rice use 2 cups of boling water, season, cover with cling film and cook for 13 minutes. as soon as it's cooked fluff with a fork. perfect rice every time.

cattie

I never stir the rice while it's cooking & let it cook for about 5 minutes, then I turn the gas off & leave the rice in the saucepan with the lid on tight for about another 5 mins. The rice is perfectly cooked this way. I always pour boiling water over the rice when it's drained to remove any excess starch.

I'm cooking rice tonight & may just be tempted to give it a go in the microwave as per zombiecazz's post.

tawnyowls

I do almost the same. I put the rice into cold water, bring to the boil, and switch off the heat (leave it to simmer for 5 mins if it's brown rice before switching off). About 15 mins later, I check the rice, and it's usually cooked, fluffy and non-sticky - saves on gas too. Was taught this trick by a Chinese friend; because the rice steams in the heat, the starch doesn't get released out as much. A quick rinse with boiling water takes off any starch left.