Learn to Cook Rice - White, Brown or Wild Rice

Rice is a common, healthy food and learning how to cook rice is foremost for many world cuisine recipes. In some Asian countries, where it is the former food staple principal to survival, a person can eat 300 pounds of it in a year, compared to an average of 25 pounds per person in America.

Types of Rice

Rice

When you learn how to cook rice, you'll find there are three main types of it you can eat. They are:

Learn to Cook Rice - White, Brown or Wild Rice

White Brown Wild

The inner measure of the grain is white rice. It is commercially refined and sometimes contains a inoffensive coating of talc or glucose to make it look more interesting to the eye. White is popular with the buying public, but the refining process removes a lot of nutrition.

Whole grain or brown has more iron, phosphorus and vitamins B1 and G than white and a pleasant nut-like taste. It has not all the time been easy to buy but is steadily becoming more popular; it's often sold in sealed packaging to forestall it from going rancid. When you learn how to cook rice, you'll find brown takes longer to cook than white.

Wild or Indian rice is technically not rice, but the seed of a marsh grass. It is the most expensive variety and food connoisseurs like the taste as an accompaniment to meat dishes.

Wash First and Last

Most varieties of rice need to be washed in a colander of fresh water prior to cooking. Some varieties are pre-washed and do not want this step. You should also rinse most varieties of rice with boiling water after cooking.

The actual cooking technique will depend on the type of rice dish. For example, a risotto requires a separate recipe than an Indian or Chinese rice dish. Now all you need to know is how to cook rice!

Cooking Properties

Rice expands up to three times its former size when cooked. Typical cooking times range from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the variety of rice. You will contemplate the ideal cooking time of your popular varieties the more you experiment with the varied methods of how to cook rice.

Varieties and Techniques

The three main categories of rice consist of a number of varieties, each with specific directions on how to cook rice.

Arborio

Arborio rice, ideal for Italian risotto dishes, is a short grain, extra starchy rice that has a creamy appearance after cooked.

Start by sautéing the rice in a petite butter and then moderately cook a mix of 1 part rice to three parts liquid. You can add extra ingredients and vegetables at this point to flavor the risotto such as:

Mushrooms Sun-dried tomatoes Chorizo

Arborio Rice can also be used to make rice puddings.

Brown

Available in both short and long grain varieties, brown rice is high in fiber and has a nutty taste. It is tasty in pilafs and many other dishes. Cook brown rice in two parts liquid to one part rice and simmer for about 40 to 45 minutes.

Basmati

Popular in Indian cooking, basmati rice is ready as a white or whole grain variety. Use about one cup of rice to two cups of boiling water and simmer for 20 to 45 minutes. The whole grain variety will take longer to cook than white basmati rice.

Sushi

Sushi rice is a popular in Japanese cuisine and often used in sushi dishes. Add the rice to an equal number of boiling water and cut heat to low. Allow it to set for 15 to 20 minutes, until the rice is tender.

Jasmine

Jasmine rice has a mild flavor and takes on the flavors of other ingredients in the dish. Cook the same as sushi rice, but with more boiling water - approximately 1¾ parts water to one part rice. Cover and simmer on a low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.

Wild

A rice native to North American, simmer wild rice on low heat for 40 to 45 minutes. Use one cup of rice to 1½ cups of boiling water.

Texmati

An alternative to basmati rice, texmati is a popular ingredient of many Tex-Mex dishes such as chili con carne. Use one cup of rice to 1½ cups of boiling water and simmer on a low heat for 20 minutes.

Fried

Chinese fried rice is used in many popular dishes. Naturally cook your rice as above and then stir-fry in a frying pan. You can add vegetables and meat or eggs to make a faultless dish.

Many varieties of rice can be made into tasty meals. Now that you know how to cook rice, make one of these great meals for your house or friends to enjoy.

Learn to Cook Rice - White, Brown or Wild Rice

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