Rice is eaten all over the world, finding its way into innumerable foods, from stir-fries in Asia to Latin American stews. It’s probably one of the most versatile grains out there, and learning how to cook rice is an art that can take your cooking to the next level. Whether you’re preparing white rice, brown rice, jasmine, basmati, or another type, the basic steps are important to your ability to achieve perfect rice every time. Here, we’re going to take you through the whole process, from preparing ingredients to employing different methods for cooking rice, including how to cook rice quickly and with efficiency.
How to Cook Rice: Ingredients Needed
Preparing rice is done with very few simple ingredients:
1. Rice – Select the rice type according to your recipe. The most popular types are:
- Long-Grain Rice (such as basmati or jasmine rice)
- Short-Grain Rice (such as sushi rice)
- Medium-Grain Rice
- Brown Rice
- Wild Rice
2. Water – The quantity of water used will depend on the rice variety and method of cooking.
3. Salt (optional) – Salt for flavor. The quantity is usually 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of rice.
4. Butter or Oil (optional) – A tablespoon of butter or oil may be used to flavor and prevent the rice grains from sticking together.
How to Cook Rice: Various Methods
Now, let’s consider the various ways of cooking rice and how to modify them for varying types of rice.
The Simple Rice Cooking Technique: Stovetop Method
This old-school technique is easy and efficient for most types of rice, such as long-grain white rice and brown rice.
Stovetop Rice Cooking Steps
1. Rinse the Rice – Put the rice in a fine mesh strainer or a bowl and rinse under cold running water. Rinsing takes out the excess starch, which causes the rice to become too sticky.
2. Measure the Rice and Water– The standard rule is to use 1 1/2 to 2 cups of water per cup of white rice, and 2 to 2 1/2 cups of water per cup of brown rice. But this can depend slightly on the type of rice. Read the package for directions.
3. Bring to a Boil – Pour the measured water into a pot and bring it to the boil. If you use salt or butter, add them at this point.
4. Simmer – Once the water has reached boiling point, lower the heat to a low simmer. Put the lid on the pot tightly. For white rice, simmer for 18 minutes, and for brown rice, simmer for 35–40 minutes. Don’t lift the lid to test the rice as this will interfere with the cooking process.
5. Let it Sit– After the rice has soaked up all the water, turn off the heat and let it sit for 5-10 minutes with the lid on. This will allow the rice to finish cooking and soften.
6. Fluff and Serve – Fluff the rice using a fork and separate the grains before serving.
How to Cook Rice in a Rice Cooker
A rice cooker makes preparing rice very simple, particularly for beginners or busy people. The method suits the majority of rice varieties, such as jasmine, basmati, and brown rice.
Cooking Rice in a Rice Cooker:
1.Wash the Rice – Similar to the stovetop process, wash the rice to get rid of excess starch.
2. Put Rice and Water into the Cooker – The white rice to water ratio for a rice cooker is 1:1, and for brown rice, it is 1:1.5. Refer to the instructions in your rice cooker for optimal results.
3. Turn on the Rice Cooker – Choose the cooking mode according to the type of rice (usually “white rice” or “brown rice”) and press the start button.
4. Let it Cook– The rice cooker will turn to “warm” mode automatically once the rice is cooked. This would take around 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the type of rice and cooker.
5. Let it Sit and Fluff– Let rice sit for a few minutes before opening the lid. Then fluff the rice using a fork and serve.
How to Cook Rice in the Microwave
Microwaving rice is a quick and efficient way to cook small portions of rice. While it may not be ideal for large quantities, it’s perfect for when you’re short on time.
Steps for Microwaving Rice:
1. Rinse the Rice– As with all methods, rinse the rice to remove excess starch.
2. Add Rice and Water – Mix 1 cup of washed rice with 2 cups of water in a microwave-proof bowl. Add salt or butter if needed.
3. Cover the Bowl – Cover the bowl using a microwave-proof lid or a plate.
4. Cook the Rice – Microwave the rice at high for 10 minutes, then cut the power to 50% and cook for another 10-12 minutes.
5. Let it Sit and Fluff– After the cooking time is up, allow the rice to rest for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.
How to Cook Rice in a Pressure Cooker
Employing an Instant Pot or pressure cooker is a time-efficient way of cooking rice, especially brown rice or other more robust varieties.
Steps for Cooking Rice in an Instant Pot
1. Wash the Rice – Wash your rice to get rid of any excess starch.
2. Put Rice and Water– Put 1 cup of rice and 1 1/4 cups of water for white rice, or 1 1/2 cups of water for brown rice.
3. Set the Instant Pot – Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to the “Rice” function. For brown rice, set it manually to 22 minutes at high pressure.
4. Release Pressure – After the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release the remaining pressure manually.
5. Fluff and Serve – Open the lid, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.
Tips for Cooking Rice Quicker
If you’re short on time, the following tips will help you cook rice faster:
1. Pre-soak the Rice– Pre-soaking rice for 30 minutes before cooking can cut down the cooking time by 10-15 minutes, particularly in the case of brown rice.
2. Apply a Higher Water-to-Rice Ratio – This can accelerate cooking, especially when cooking with the stovetop technique. Just do not be so careful as to end up with mushy rice.
3. Use a Rice Cooker or Instant Pot – Such devices can cook rice faster and more effectively than the traditional stovetop techniques. They also need less attention when cooking.
Cooking Various Types of Rice & Boling Time
The cooking time and water-to-rice ratio may also change based on the type of rice you are using. Some of the main variations to note are:
1. White Rice – White rice is the most popular variety. It is easy to cook and usually requires around 1 1/2 to 2 cups of water for each 1 cup of rice. It is ready in approximately 18 minutes on the stovetop or when cooked using a rice cooker.
2. Brown Rice– Brown rice is slower in cooking as it still contains the bran layer. Brown rice needs more water (approximately 2 cups of water per cup of rice) and requires approximately 35-40 minutes on the stovetop.
3. Basmati Rice – This long-grain rice type has a strong flavor and requires less water than other long-grain types. Use 1 1/2 cups of water per cup of basmati rice, and cook for 18 minutes.
4. Jasmine Rice – Another long-grain rice, jasmine rice is fragrant and slightly more sticky than basmati. It takes 1 1/2 cups of water per cup of rice.
5. Sushi Rice– This short-grain rice is clingy and is a must for preparing sushi. Use 1 1/4 cups of water per cup of sushi rice.
Preparing rice may appear easy, but there are many techniques and varieties of rice to keep in mind. Whether you’re making white rice, brown rice, or some other more exotic type, following these steps will result in perfectly cooked rice each time. The stovetop, rice cooker, microwave, and Instant Pot are all great options depending on your time and convenience. Additionally, by following the right ratios of rice to water and using the correct cooking times, you’ll ensure your rice comes out fluffy and tender. With practice, cooking rice will become second nature and an essential skill in your kitchen!
