White rice is a staple that goes well with everything: meat, vegetables, soups and stews. Regardless of how you cook it, on the stove, in the microwave or in the electric rice cooker, it is essential to dose the water correctly. In addition, it is important to let the rice rest once cooked, otherwise the grains will stick to each other forming a single mushy and sticky mass. Read on and find out what are the steps to take to cook white rice perfectly.
Ingrediants
Cook the White Rice on the Stove
- 220 g of white rice
- 250-300 ml of water
- Half a teaspoon of sea salt (optional)
- 15 g butter (optional)
Yield: 4 servings
Microwave White Rice
- 220 g of white rice
- 440 ml of water
- A tip of a teaspoon of salt (optional)
Yield: 4 servings
Cook White Rice in the Electric Rice Cooker
- 220 g of white rice
- 240 ml of water
- Half a teaspoon of salt (optional)
Yield: 4 servings
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Cook White Rice on the Stove
Step 1. Rinse the rice under cold running water
Pour it into a fine mesh colander and wash it with cold running water. Move the rice into the colander with clean hands to rinse the grains at the bottom as well. Keep stirring and rinsing the rice until the water that comes out of the strainer is clean and clear.
- The rice should not be dried, but it is better to shake the colander a couple of times to remove excess water.
- You can increase or decrease the amount of rice based on the number of diners, but be sure to respect the ratio of rice to water.
Step 2. Pour the rice and water into a 2 liter pot
Pour the water into the pot and then add the rice. Do not stir once the rice has been added, just swirl the pot slightly to distribute the grains in the water. The amount of water needed varies according to the amount of rice:
- Short grain white rice: Use 250ml of water for 220g of rice.
- Long grain white rice: Use 300ml of water for 220g of rice.
Step 3. Add salt and butter if desired, then bring the water to a boil
Use half a teaspoon of coarse sea salt and 15 g of butter for every 220 g of rice. After putting all the ingredients in the pot, bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Salt and butter are used to give more flavor to the rice.
- Don't stir the rice, just swirl the pot to distribute the seasonings.
Step 4. Cover the pot and simmer the rice for 18-20 minutes
Use a lid that allows you to seal the pot, then adjust the heat so the water simmers gently. When the simmering subsides, set the kitchen timer to cook for 18 minutes. When the time runs out, taste the rice; if it's not ready yet, let it cook for another couple of minutes.
- The rice is ready when it has absorbed all the water.
- If possible, use a glass lid to see when the water has been absorbed without having to uncover the pot.
Step 5. Remove the pot from the heat and let the covered rice sit for 15-20 minutes
If a lot of condensation has accumulated under the lid, remove it and cover the pot with a clean kitchen towel to prevent water from falling onto the rice. Let the rice sit for 15-20 minutes in the covered pot (with the lid or cloth).
The rice should be left to rest to obtain a uniform cooking, otherwise the grains on the bottom will be soft and those in the upper part too dry
Step 6. Stir the rice with the fork before serving to separate the grains
Bring the pot to the table or transfer the rice to a serving dish. If it is left over, you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Method 2 of 3: Microwave White Rice
Step 1. Rinse the rice under cold running water
Pour it into a fine mesh colander and wash it with cold running water. Move the rice into the colander with clean hands to rinse the grains at the bottom as well. Keep stirring and rinsing the rice until the water that comes out of the strainer is clean and clear.
If you use this method, don't cook more than 220 g of rice at a time. If you wish, you can reduce the amount of rice, but not increase it
Step 2. Pour the rice and water into a container with a capacity of about one and a half liters
Use 440ml of water regardless of the type of rice (short, medium or long grain). The size of the container may seem too large, but the rice will expand as it cooks.
- If you want, you can add a hint of a teaspoon of salt to make the rice tastier.
- If you want to cook less rice, reduce the amount of water as well. The ratio of water to rice must be 2: 1.
Step 3. Microwave the rice on full power for 10 minutes without covering the container
Make sure the microwave is set to the maximum available power. Put the rice in the oven and cook for 10 minutes. Do not cover the container. The rice is ready when it emits small puffs of steam.
Continue cooking the rice at one-minute intervals until puffs of steam form
Step 4. Cover the container with a lid or cling film, then place it back in the microwave and cook the rice for another 4 minutes
Use oven mitts or pot holders to handle the container without burning yourself. Cover it with the lid or a sheet of cling film, then put it back in the microwave. Cook the rice for another 4 minutes, always at maximum power.
Make sure that, in addition to the container, the lid is also suitable for use in the microwave. If not, use cling film
Step 5. Let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes
During this resting phase, the rice will continue to cook thanks to the residual heat. This is an important step that allows you to obtain an optimal result.
If after 5 minutes of standing the rice is still not cooked to perfection, return it to the oven at one minute intervals until ready
Step 6. Uncover the container and stir the rice with the fork before serving
Be very careful about lifting the lid or foil so you don't burn yourself with the hot steam. Once the cover is removed, stir the rice with the fork to separate the grains.
Store leftover rice in the refrigerator in an airtight container and eat it within 2-3 days
Method 3 of 3: Cook White Rice in the Electric Rice Cooker
Step 1. Rinse the rice under cold running water
Pour it into a fine mesh colander and wash it with cold running water. Move the rice into the colander with clean hands to rinse all the grains evenly. Keep stirring and rinsing the rice until the water that comes out of the strainer is clean and clear.
You can increase or decrease the amount of rice, but this will affect the cooking time
Step 2. Pour the rice and water into the electric rice cooker
Also add half a teaspoon of salt to make the rice tastier. Read carefully the instruction manual of the cooker to make sure that the ratio of water to rice is the correct one for your model of rice cooker.
If your instruction manual suggests using a different ratio of water to rice, follow those guidelines
Step 3. Set up and turn on the rice cooker
The pot will turn off by itself when cooked. Generally the simpler rice cookers have only one button, the on and off button, while the more expensive models offer different settings and cooking methods. If necessary, select the most suitable option to cook the rice before turning on the rice cooker.
The cooking method can vary according to the type of pot and the variety of rice: short, medium or long grain
Step 4. Let the rice sit in the closed pot for 10-15 minutes when cooked
This way the steam will come out of the rice cooker at a slow pace and the rice will become softer and more airy. If you don't let it rest, the kernels will be mushy, sticky and lightly shelled.
Do not remove the lid from the rice cooker, otherwise you will let all the steam out quickly and the rice will not be as good
Step 5. Serve the rice with a plastic spoon
If you use a metal utensil you risk scratching the inside of the rice cooker. Bring the pot to the table or transfer the rice to a serving dish.
- If the rice is left over, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Eat it within 2-3 days.
- When empty, wipe the inside of the rice cooker with a damp cloth.
Advice
- If the rice grains tend to stick together, add half a teaspoon of white vinegar to the cooking water. This is the dose for 220 g of rice.
- If you want, you can cook the rice in vegetable or meat broth or in coconut milk to give it an exotic taste.
- For a tastier rice, you can add chopped fresh herbs when cooked, such as parsley or chives.
