Rice At Restaurants Tastes Significantly Better Than It Does At Home

Apr 17, 2020 by apost team

If you've ever wondered why rice at restaurants tastes so much better than it does when you cook it at home, you're not alone. Getting restaurant-quality rice at home is possible, but it takes some practice. Not all rice is created equal, either, so it's important to know how to cook each type of rice.

You can't go wrong with white rice. It goes with anything and easily picks up the flavor of whatever liquid you cook it in. It's also the simplest type of rice to cook.

Enriched white rice cooks the fastest and is the most common type of rice you will find when buying instant or "minute" rice. This type of rice doesn't need any special preparation, such as soaking, and can be cooked in under 10 minutes by following the instructions on the package.

White rice that is not precooked or enriched requires a bit more preparation and cooking time. To cook plain white rice, follow this method:

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1. Rinse white rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and harmful chemicals like arsenic and phytates.
2. Soak the rice, if desired, in water for 20 to 30 minutes.
3. For 1 cup of uncooked rice, combine it with 1 3/4 cup of liquid (such as water or chicken broth) and bring it to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Simmer the rice for 10 to 20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. The cooking time will depend on whether or not you soaked the rice prior to cooking.

Brown rice and long grain rice like jasmine, basmati, and wild rice contain more nutrients than white rice does. They also require more preparation and cook time, but the extra work is worth it.

Unless the rice is precooked or instant, you should soak it prior to cooking. Not only does soaking the rice make it cook faster, but it also makes it easier to digest.

Brown rice and other long-grain rice can be soaked for as little as 20 minutes to as long as overnight. Once soaked, follow these instructions for cooking it perfectly:

1. Brown rice and long grain rice require at least a 2 to 1 ratio of liquid to rice when cooking. Wild rice requires a 3 to 1 ratio.
2. Place the correct amount of liquid and rice in a pot and bring it to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat and cover the pot. Simmer the rice for 20 minutes for pre-soaked rice and up to 50 minutes for rice that hasn't been soaked.
4. You know it's done when all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is light and fluffy.

Rice is inexpensive and easy to cook, which is why it should always be in your pantry. Once you master the art of cooking rice, it's a simple dish to serve alongside your favorite protein and vegetables.

Did you realize that cooking rice involved so many steps? Do you think you'll be able to master the art of cooking rice at home now that you've read these tips? If you know someone else who could benefit from reading them, be sure to pass this information along so they can enjoy restaurant-quality rice from the comfort of their home.