Rice Cooking Tips

by Isabel Robson
(UK)

Brown rice is healthier. The natural oil contained in brown rice can help lower cholesterol and it contains less starch than white rice.
Stir fried brown rice has a nutty taste and it contains less calories.
White rice is stripped of fiber, essential fatty acids and vitamins.

Which ever type rice you decide to cook it is always best to wash it well at least 3 times or until water runs clear. It helps reduce the amount of starch which can make the rice stick together.

Do not wash the rice if it is milled in the US. This is because rice producers in the US add a coat of vitamins and mineral to the rice. Therefore this coat should not be washed to help preserve its added value.

Avoid overcooking the rice. Mashed rice does not have a good taste.
Ensure that rice has enough water whilst boiling and do not stir the rice to avoid crushing the grains.
A cup of rice should be sufficient for 2 portions.

Cooking Method:
Cook rice in boiling water for 7 minutes.
Add 1 tsp of lime juice, 1 tsp vinegar and 1 garlic clove. It really helps to bring out the flavour.
The lime juice and vinegar also helps prevent rice sticking together.
Drain and season with sea salt. Add 2 tsp butter, stir gently and cover with lid for 5 minutes.
The steam will help cook the rice further.
The result is fluffy rice which is not overcooked.

Make it go further adding stir frying vegetables, herbs and spices. This way 1 cup of rice can feed up to 4 people.
Rice is an essential ingredient to have in the cupboard for when an extra guest is coming to dinner at short notice for example.
Adding extra rice to a dish is easy to help stretch a meal and may save you a journey to the store to get more ingredients.

SBI!