Perfect Rice Food

PERFECT WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and stir to coat. Cook until rice grains begin to turn opaque, 1 to 2 minutes; do not brown. Add water and salt.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
• Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

HOW TO COOK PERFECT RICE ON THE STOVE

Steps:

• Bring the water to boil in a medium saucepan. Add the salt and butter and allow the butter to melt.
• When the water has returned to a boil, stir in the rice. Let the water return to a light simmer. Stir again, cover the pot and turn the heat down to low. Keep the rice simmering slightly, and keep the pot covered (you may have to peek after a few minutes to make sure the heat is at the correct temperature, but then let it cook, covered). Start checking to see if the rice is tender and all of the liquid is absorbed at about 17 minutes. It may take up to 25, especially if you are making a larger quantity of rice.
• When the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it sit for another couple of minutes to finish absorbing any liquid. Take off the lid, fluff the rice with a fork and let it sit for another 2 minutes or so, so that some of the excess moisture in the rice dries off.

PERFECT COOKED RICE

Steps:

• Place rice in a pot with sufficient water to cover. Wash rice in the cold water in the pot by rubbing it between your hands and then drain using a strainer. Add more water to pot and repeat process for a total of 3x. Drain well after washing.
• Add 15 ounces water to the rice and allow it to rest for 1 hour before cooking.
• It is best to use that so-called "old rice" - rice that has been lying about in sacks for extended periods, for it will absorb water better and will cook easier. (It is often suggested that a ratio of 2 cups of rice to 2 cups of water be used. This is unsatisfactory because it will be too soft.).
• Begin cooking the rice, uncovered, over high heat, by bringing the water to a boil. Stir the rice with the wooden spoon or chopsticks and cook about 4 minutes or until the water is absorbed, or evaporates. Even after the water is gone, the rice will continue to be quite hard. Cover the pot and cook over very low heat for about 8 minutes more, stirring the rice from time to time.
• Turn off the heat and loosen the rice with the wooden spoon or chopsticks. This will help it retain its fluffiness. Cover tightly until ready to serve. Just before serving, stir and loosen the rice once again. Well-cooked rice will have absorbed the water but will not be lumpy, nor will the kernels stick together. They will be firm and separate. The rice may be kept hot in a warm oven for an hour without drying out.
• Note: The older the rice the higher the yield.

PERFECT RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In 1/4 cup butter cook onion, green pepper and mushrooms.
• Set aside.
• In same skillet, heat remaining butter and brown rice slightly.
• Add chicken broth and heat.
• Pour all ingredients into a 1 1/2 qt.
• casserole.
• Cover and bake 40 minutes or until iquid is absorbed.

BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice thoroughly with water to remove any excess starch.
• Soak the rice with plenty of water for 30 minutes. You can do this in a separate bowl or the pot you are going to cook the rice in.
• Drain the water.
• Add the soaked rice to the pot. Add 2 cups water, salt to taste and a splash of oil. The oil will help prevent the water from boiling over which is caused by the starch in the rice, and some people say it also adds flavor.
• Bring to a boil under medium-high heat, uncovered.
• When it starts boiling, cover and lower the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes.
• After fifteen minutes, take the lid off. If there is any excess water, allow it to boil off. Fluff with a fork, you are done.

PERFECT WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in rice and salt and return to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid, 16 to 18 minutes (check only toward the end of cooking time). The rice should be studded with craters, or steam holes, when it is ready.
• Remove from heat and let steam, covered, for 10 minutes. Then fluff with a fork and serve.

PERFECT RICE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and saute until tender. Add the rice and stir until the rice is glossy and coated with the butter. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and add the warmed stock. Add the smashed garlic and sprigs of thyme. Cover with a tight fitting lid. Cook for 15 to 17 minutes.
• Remove the thyme and garlic. Fluff with a fork and add fresh chopped parsley.

PERFECT RICE

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and bay leaf and sauté until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in salt, thyme, and white pepper. Add rice; stir 2 minutes to coat. Add broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is just tender and broth is absorbed, about 17 minutes. Discard bay leaf. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in microwave before using.)