Rice is considered one of the most popular cereals that a person eats. Its benefits are very high. It is consumed with meat and fish, with vegetables and herbs. Many products are prepared from it, including desserts. Rice can either be an independent dish, or be part of another.
What is rice?
This is a cereal crop of the rice family. It can be both annual and perennial plants. The plant is very fond of moisture and does not tolerate frost. Rice was domesticated only 9 thousand years ago, and until that time, the culture was considered weedy. At the beginning of the 19th century, rice was brought to Russia and at first it was called the “Sorochino grain”. For a long time it was eaten only in certain dishes for the holidays. However, after some time, rice began to be present in the everyday life of almost every family. It is served as a side dish, as a main course and as a dessert.
Beneficial features
Rice is rich in complex carbohydrates that bring great benefits to the body. Protein in this culture is quite small, not more than 12% in dry matter. But rice ash contains a large amount of phosphate.
Noodles, flour and even butter are made from grains of this culture. Rice is widely used in winemaking, as well as in cooking (cooked kozinaki and popcorn). Paper and cardboard are made from straw (dry rice stalks).
Basic rules for preparing the product
For cooking, you need to take a glass of rice and 2 glasses of water, a convenient saucepan with a lid, salt (a pinch). Rice should be washed well until the water becomes clear. Many are interested in what water to cook rice. The answer is very simple - in boiling. When the water boils, it is necessary to place rice in it and not reduce the fire for 5 minutes. Then set the flame to minimum and cook for 2 minutes.
When preparing the product, do not open the lid and stir. After turning off the fire, it is worth leaving rice in water with the lid closed for another 10 minutes. So you get delicious and crumbly rice.
How much water to cook rice?
Usually housewives have a lot of questions about how and in which to cook tasty and crumbly rice. The secret of cooking is the correct ratio of water to grain. Also, much depends on the variety of culture and the degree of its processing.
Long grain rice is cooked on average about 20 minutes in the amount of water, twice as much as the product itself. It turns out very crisp and tasty. Such a side dish is perfect for meat and fish.
Many are interested in what kind of water you need to cook medium-sized rice. Usually these grains are oval and up to half a centimeter in length. Such rice is most often added to soup, risotto or porridge is made from it. The grain culture is placed in boiling water and boiled for about 15 minutes, and then still insist under the lid for about 10 minutes. 1 glass of rice requires 2.5 glasses of water.
How much water to cook rice for casseroles or cereals? For such dishes, it is best to prefer a round-grain product. He quickly cooks and boils. To cook 1 glass of rice you need 2.5-3 glasses of water.
Types of rice for processing
White polished rice is not useful, because when processing it lost all the beneficial properties. Steamed product with a yellow tint. It does not stick together during cooking, but inferior to the other grades in taste. Brown or brown rice is the most healthy. It is best given to children. All useful properties are saved in it. Black or wild rice also has plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Many people are interested in the ratio of water to cook brown rice. To obtain a friable and useful product, you need twice as much water as cereals. Salt and spices are added to taste.
Chef tips
During cooking, rice cereal increases in volume by almost 3 times. This fact must be taken into account when choosing dishes for cooking and the required volume of cereals.
Four large portions of rice garnish require a glass of raw cereal.
Many people are interested in which water to cook rice for sushi. Its preparation is no different from other varieties. It is important only after cooking to dry the rice well, but during cooking it does not interfere.
If during the preparation of cereals water boiled away, you just need to add boiling water and do not stir. Boil the rice for about 3-5 minutes and try.
Old rice, regardless of variety, will turn into porridge. The housewives are interested in what kind of water it is possible to cook rice, which has already been soaked for some time. It is best to add such cereal to soup or casserole, using the basic rules of preparation.
An interesting and bright dish can turn out if you color the rice during cooking with spices. For example, curry or turmeric will give it a beautiful yellow tint and a pleasant aroma. But if you fry the finished cereal with beets, then it will turn out burgundy.
What water to cook rice in a slow cooker
Modern technology allows you to cook this grits very quickly and easily. To do this, wash and dry the rice (you can simply drain the excess water), place in the crock-pot and pour boiling water. For 3 multi-glasses of dry product, add five multi-glasses of water. Add salt, spices and oil immediately. Close and set the mode to "Cook", "Rice" or "Buckwheat". After a signal of readiness, rice can be consumed.
Boiled rice in a pan
To make the rice crumbly, you can dry it in a pan, but do not rush to remove it from there. Add a spoonful of sunflower oil and two glasses of water. Of course, the pan must be deep, otherwise nothing will work. Remember, rice boils in volume three times! Cook for 15-20 minutes under the lid. You can add vegetables, spices and herbs, and you get a full dinner.
Microwave Rice
Some people prefer to cook only in the microwave. It is simple, convenient and fast. And sometimes there’s simply no other option. Keep in mind that the cereal will turn out to be slightly drier than when cooking in a pan. Housewives are interested in what water to cook rice in the microwave. It must be cooked in boiling water. To do this, put the cereal in the container and pour it with boiling water in the ratio of 1 cup of dry product to 2 water. Spices and salt can be added after readiness. Do not open the microwave for another 20 minutes after turning off the timer.
Rice cooker
For the preparation of this cereal, this cooking method is not suitable. Rice will turn into porridge, no matter what variety you choose. Therefore, it is better to prepare this product in a different way.
Rice cooker
This is the easiest and most convenient way to cook rice. However, it is worth paying tribute to the opinion that buying this unit in a family is not entirely appropriate. If you want to cook cereals in a rice cooker, then you just need to rinse it and put it inside the container, pour water and add spices. Turn on the timer and wait. After turning off the "Steam" mode, you should wait another 15-20 minutes.
How to cook rice for other dishes
Some recipes contain rice (hedgehogs, cabbage rolls, etc.), which should be added in a semi-finished form. To do this, you need to do everything, as for ordinary cooking of rice, only it costs 7-10 minutes to cook. In which water to cook rice, it does not matter, it is important not to cover the lid and defend the grits after boiling, just drain the water and add the rice to the minced meat or other components.
Rice for pilaf
To prepare this delicious dish, it is best to take a steamed variety of rice. If this is not at hand, then the long-grain groats should be dried in a pan, and then add the oil. And continue to cook, as usual.