Rice is a common cuisine in millions of households around the world, but it’s also a dish that some people believe they are incapable of making well.
Cooking rice is straightforward if you follow a few simple rules and use the correct procedure. If you follow these steps, you will never again make a clumpy, sticky, and glutinous mess.
Read on as you learn how well to cook your rice. Trust me, you need to note that knowing how long to cook your rice (2 cups of rice in this case) will go a long way.
Rice Nutrition Facts
Tips on How to Cook Rice
Since rice is such a simple and inexpensive staple, there is a lot of information available on how to cook it. However, the back of the rice package says one thing and people say something else about how to cook it. Don’t worry much, we have the much-needed tips to guide you through.
Before you cook the rice, give it a good rinse – It is critical to rinse your rice grains regardless of how you prepare them. Excess starch is removed this way. If the starch is left on the rice, it produces unpleasant, gummy results.
Some recipes recommend rinsing the rice in a bowl and changing the water numerous times, but I think rinsing it in a fine-mesh strainer is the most efficient method. To evenly wash the rice, agitate them with your hands as you run water over them.
You can consider toasting the rice – To be completely honest, this step isn’t required. However, if you have the time, you will find that it accentuates the rice’s natural flavor.
Simply melt a spoonful of butter or olive oil in the saucepan – the one you will be cooking the rice in – over medium heat. You will have to stir in the rice well enough until it begins to smell nutty – a similar to popcorn. When you toast your white rice, you will note that it turns a pale tan color.
The ratio of water to rice – 2 cups of water to 1 cup of white rice is the standard water-to-rice ratio. Therefore if you are cooking 2 cups of rice, you will need to use 4 cups of water. Other rice varieties, such as brown and Arborio, may have slightly varying proportions and cooking times, but this 2-to-1 ratio ensures flawless white rice every time.
Remember to season the water – You can do this by adding a generous sprinkle of salt to the cooking water can help to balance the flavor of the final rice. If you fail to season the rice and wait till after it’s done cooking, you will get a salty aftertaste.
Fluff the rice – Notably, you will find the simple tip/directions “fluff rice” are included at the end of many rice recipes. This just entails breaking up any grains that have clumped together with a fork in the rice. Your completed dish will be fluffier as a result of this step.
The classic method of cooking rice on the stove – When you think about rice, this is most likely the method that comes to mind because it is the most traditional.
If you read the back of every rice package in your pantry, you will discover that there is no one basic method for making rice on the stove. Depending on the sort of rice you are cooking, the method will slightly vary. But don’t worry, I have broken everything down for you in this step-by-step guide.
- Rinse the rice thoroughly.
- You can use the proper water ratio. In a big pot, you will need to combine 2 parts water and 1 part rice. Make sure you use 1 part liquid to 2/3 part rice for slightly firmer rice.
- Go ahead to bring the water to a boil in a large pot. You can add a large pinch of salt to the water once it has reached a boil.
- Now make sure you maintain low heat. Proceed to reduce the heat to low and maintain a slow simmer by covering the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
- You should make sure cooking should be done without peeping or stirring. Proceed to cook for about 18 minutes until the water has been absorbed.
- To prevent the steam from escaping, wait until the conclusion of the cooking period to peek. You should also note that you should not mix the rice while it is cooking, since this will result in gummy rice.
This method is particularly good with long-grain white rice. Note that if you are dealing with a certain type of rice, such as short-grain rice, you may always refer to the package instructions for tips on how to adapt this procedure to the specific variety.
Reheating – You can add 2 teaspoons of water to each cup of cooked rice when reheating. If the rice has been frozen, it should be cooked on high for 2 minutes for each cup. Using a fork, you have to fluff the rice, then serve.
On the stovetop, you have to cover and heat for about 5 minutes over medium heat until the rice is heated through. You can also place rice in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. The go on and cook for 1 minute per cup of rice on high.
How Long to Cook 2 Cups of Rice
Cook 2 cups of rice for about 25 – 30 minutes until the liquid is completely absorbed. Before serving, you can fluff and season. You can simply fluff the grain with a fork, and you can flavor as you go.
Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
5 minutes | 25 minutes | 30 minutes |
How To Cook Rice Perfectly (6 Servings)
Ingredients
- Water
- Rice
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the rice.
- You will need to give it a good swirl to make sure the rice is covered by the water.
- Then cover and cook for 30 minutes on the lowest heat setting on your smallest gas burner – induction should be done at a low-medium temperature.
- Go ahead and remove the lid and turn off the heat after 30 minutes.
- Remember to fluff the rice with a fork. Note that if the lid is left on the pan, the rice will keep hot for another 30 minutes- with no change in texture or flavor.
You can watch this video recipe to know how to cook rice perfectly – managing how long to let the rice cook.