These mistakes can leave you with anything from dry, undercooked rice to mushy split grains.
Yes, we’ll admit it.
Those grocery-aisle pouches advertising easy, pre-portioned, fully-cooked rice in minutes are tempting.
Credit:Greg DuPree
But it’s time to ditch the microwavable stuff.
Homemade rice is a simple yet impressive addition to any meal.
While cooking rice may seem easy, it’s an art worth perfecting.
These mistakes can leave you with anything from dry, undercooked rice to mushy split grains.
Greg DuPree
1.
But you don’t actually need a rice cooker to make perfect rice.
you might cook rice in your everyday saucepan or pot.
Treat Each Grain Differently
You wouldn’t cook paper-thin linguini for the same time as thick rigatoni.
Like different pasta shapes require alternate cook times, grains of various rice need other cooking procedures.
The main difference in rice grains is the ideal amount of water for cooking.
We’ll talk a bit later about the dangers of leftover rice.
After all, everything’s better with butter.
Remember that you want to cook rice with steam, not with pure heat.
Don’t Bother It
Resist the temptation to kick off the lid and check on your rice.
Peeking will interfere with the steaming process and leave you with dry, undercooked rice.
Your rice only needs a quick fluff with a fork once it’s finished cooking.
Constant stirring gives risotto its cherished creaminessa trait not desirable when cooking plain rice.
Moral of the story: leave your rice alone while it cooks and let it work its magic.
Let It Sit
10.
Rice carries bacteria that can grow even after cooking and lead to food poisoning.
Medical News Todayoffers some guidelinesfor safely storing rice to avoid this.
Don’t let your rice sit at room temperature for more than an hour.
If you have leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container directly after cooking.
With these tips, you’ll be cooking party-perfect rice in no time.
You’ll never be tempted by those microwavable rice packets again.
