However I agree with cookbook writer Andrea Nguyen, who says cooking rice on the range allows you to higher observe, tweak and perceive the right way to make this staple. Plus, you may’t beat the simplicity, particularly in case your kitchen tools is proscribed.
To assist recover from my very own rice hang-ups, I spent a while with Nguyen in our Meals Lab, going step-by-step by her recipe for “10-10-10 Excellent Rice” featured in her new e-book, “Ever-Inexperienced Vietnamese.” Right here’s what I realized.
Which sort of rice is greatest?
Nguyen’s go-to methodology is designed for long-grain rice, and her most popular selection is jasmine. “It has this glorious chew to it and unimaginable, unimaginable aroma when it’s cooking,” she says.
In case you can, hunt down jasmine rice from Thailand, Nguyen advises. Search for grains which are polished and lengthy, with out too many which are damaged. The grains ought to be extra translucent than chalky. Nguyen says discovering your favourite rice is like selecting your favourite model of denims, so it’s okay to be picky and check out just a few completely different choices earlier than deciding on one. Her favourite is Three Women.
How one can wash rice — and why to do it
Whether or not you rinse your rice is a matter of non-public choice, Nguyen says, although she says it might assist get rid of floor starches and cut back gumminess. That means you get extra particular person grains that don’t stick collectively. Rinsing “provides it a a lot cleaner taste,” she says.
You don’t essentially must set the rice in a strainer or separate bowl and soiled extra dishes. Nguyen recommends placing the rice in your pot (she likes one thing with a 2- to 3-quart capability for cooking 2 cups of dried rice), protecting it by about 1 inch of water and stirring along with your fingers. Pour off the water — or save to water your crops — and repeat two or 3 times. The water shall be virtually, however not crystal, clear.
Nguyen’s recipe requires a 4-to-5 ratio of rice to water (2 cups rice to 2 1/2 cups water) to get a “chewy, agency texture” with grains that aren’t too arduous or too mushy.
Once more, that is the sort of factor that comes down to non-public choice, so be happy to experiment to achieve your required texture.
Nguyen provides one other intelligent tip if you wish to get out of measuring water each time. When you choose a pot you want for making rice and the quantity of water you like, pour within the (measured) quantity of water. Then stick your finger in till the tip reaches the floor of the rice and gauge how far up the water goes in your finger. For any future batches, you’ll know the right way to eyeball the water with out your measuring cup.
Ideas for cooking rice on a range
As your water involves a boil, you’ll wish to stir often to even out the cooking, since grains towards the underside of the pot are nearer to the warmth, Nguyen says. And it’s okay to take action. Rice isn’t that delicate. It “could be stirred, prodded or coaxed,” Nguyen says. As soon as the water boils, drop the warmth just a little and simmer for 1 to three minutes. Don’t stroll away. The rice is increasing and absorbing water, so there shall be much less and fewer liquid among the many grains. Search for little sputtering craters to kind on the floor.
How lengthy to cook dinner rice step-by-step
Right here comes the easy-to-remember a part of the method that explains the identify of Nguyen’s recipe. As soon as these craters kind on the floor, cut back the warmth to low, cowl and cook dinner for 10 minutes. Then flip off the warmth, leaving the pot coated and on the burner for one more 10 minutes. This enables the rice to proceed steaming within the residual warmth and moisture. Now it’s time to fluff, utilizing a fork, spatula or chopsticks. Circulating the rice might help soften firmer grains towards the highest of the pot, in addition to separate them. Re-cover and let relaxation for a closing 10 minutes. The great thing about this methodology, Nguyen says, is that “you’re going to get a really mild, even cooking.”
When you’re accomplished, you may preserve the rice coated and heat for as much as half-hour, simply make sure to fluff it proper earlier than serving.
