How to Expertly Cook Rice
July 16, 2012
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Austin
• 0 Comments
How to Expertly Cook Rice
A terrible cook is often referred to as someone who can’t boil water without burning it. If that description fits your skill in the kitchen, then you know the disappointment of failed meals and delivery pizza. Have you ever thought about attending cooking school in Austin?
Even if you can boil water without burning it, you probably aren’t ready to take over the kitchen at the Ritz. That doesn’t mean, though, that you lack the confidence to tackle most daily meal challenges.
Oddly enough, however, one of the things that trips ups kitchen newbies and culinary veterans alike is cooking rice. Believe it or not, cooking rice is a challenge for many cooks. And we’re not talking about sushi rice – which comes with its own traditional methods and difficulties.We’re referring to standard medium or long grain rice to serve in pilaf or with your favorite Asian dish.
This basic kitchen task can be a bit of troublemaker. From sticking to the bottom of the pot to being flavorless and mushy, cooking rice isn’t as easy as it seems. Read our guide on how to make the perfect pot of rice every time.
Rice Cooking 101
Consider this to be your cooking school boot camp for cooking rice. Follow these steps and say good-bye to sticky rice, under cooked rice, dry, or over cooked rice:
- Step 1
Measure the rice to be cooked and place in fine mesh sieve. Rinse the rice well with cold water. The rinsing will remove surface starches that can lead to rice that is too sticky. One cup of uncooked rice makes about three cups of cooked rice.
- Step 2
In a medium saucepot, add 1-¾ cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt for every cup of rice.
- Step 3
Bring to boil over high heat. You want it to come to boil as quickly as possible so turn up the heat, just don’t walk away. Watch the pot. Don’t worry; it will boil.
- Step 4
Reduce the heat to low and stir the rice a little to reduce clumping. Once stirred cover the rice and let it cook for 20 minutes. Don’t be tempted. Don’t lift the lid during the 20 minutes. You don’t need to look. You don’t need to stir it. Just let it cook.
- Step 5
After 20 minutes remove the rice from the heat and let it rest with the lid still on for 5 more minutes.
- Step 6
Fluff with a fork to separate the grains and serve.
And that’s all there is to it. This will almost guarantee perfect rice every time. The rest is up to you.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in Austin, Texas. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/Austin for more information.
Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.chefs.edu/disclosures. Le Cordon Bleu® and the Le Cordon Bleu logo are registered trademarks of Career Education Corporation. Le Cordon Bleu cannot guarantee employment or salary. Credits earned are unlikely to transfer.