Although it is possible to cook rice in a saucepan or rice cooker, you can save some time by opting for the microwave. With this technique you can prepare both the white and the wholemeal one in a few minutes; when finished, add some flavorings and serve it.
Ingrediants
- Rice
- Waterfall
- salt
- Chicken or vegetable broth (optional)
- Spices (optional)
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Mix the Rice with Water
Step 1. Rinse the rice under the tap
Place it in a colander or similar container and, at the end, shake it gently to remove excess water.
Step 2. Read the instructions on the package for the exact proportions
The rice must be mixed with the water before cooking, but the doses of the two ingredients can vary. Check the instructions on the bag, but know that in general you need two parts of rice and one of water.
Too much water makes the cereal soggy, insufficient water makes it gummy. Change the proportions between the two ingredients according to your personal tastes
Step 3. Pour the rice into a microwave safe container
Make sure that the container can be safely inserted into the appliance; there is probably a symbol or writing on the bottom of it that indicates this characteristic. If in doubt, use another container and add both rice and water.
- Make sure the container is larger than necessary, as the cereal expands during cooking; in addition, a large container prevents the ingredients from overflowing.
- It is not necessary to stir during cooking.
Part 2 of 3: Microwave Rice
Step 1. Turn on the appliance at maximum power
Turn the knob to the maximum available setting and cook the rice for 10 minutes; do not cover the pan during cooking.
Step 2. Continue reducing the power
After 10 minutes, adjust the power of the appliance to the minimum and continue to cook the rice for another 15 minutes, always without covering it.
- Brown rice takes longer than polished rice; if you are cooking this cereal, the second phase involves 20 minutes of cooking instead of 15.
- Do not mix the rice between the two sessions.
Step 3. Spice up the cereal with a fork
After the last 15 minutes, the rice should be ready; take a fork and mix it gently trying to separate the grains to give some texture to the dish.
- If the beans are still hard, continue cooking for a few minutes and check again.
- Be careful, when you remove the dish from the microwave; if the water has overflowed, wait a few minutes before handling the container and wear oven gloves.
Part 3 of 3: Flavoring the Rice
Step 1. Use the classic combination of salt, pepper and butter
You can add a pinch of salt and pepper, as well as a spoonful of butter to give the dish a traditional flavor; you can pour the butter into the water before cooking or melt it and incorporate it later.
Step 2. Add the spices you use in the other dishes
If you are preparing rice as a side dish for a main dish, add some spice and aroma that you used for the latter; by doing so, you enrich the rice with flavor and make sure it pairs well with the main dish.
For example, if you are cooking salmon, transfer some marinade to the rice after cooking
Step 3. Replace the water with chicken or vegetable stock
If you want to make the dish tastier while cooking, opt for chicken or vegetable broth instead of plain water; however, if you use too much, you run the risk of the cereal acquiring a starchy taste. Therefore, opt for a mixture of broth and water in equal parts.
