Basic Rice Recipe: How To Cook Perfect Rice in Minutes
Brown Rice, White Rice, Short Grain Rice, Long Grain Rice, Sticky Rice, Jasmine Rice, Any Kind of Rice
Rice is easy to cook, a dietary staple everywhere in the world, and the basis of countless delicious nutritious vegetarian and vegan recipes.
We're big on brown rice, because it has all it's fiber and vitamins and minerals intact. It is much more chewy and substantial than white rice, and digests slowly because of the fiber. It also takes much longer to cook.
Total prep & cook time: 20 min for white rice, 60 min for brown rice
1 cup raw rice yields approximately 4 cups or 8 servings cooked rice.
Nutrition Data 1/2 Cup Serving Brown Rice: 108 calories, 22g carbohydrate, 0g fat, 148mg sodium, 2g dietary fiber, 3g protein, Very low in saturated fat & cholesterol, good source Selenium, very good source Manganese. Estimated glycemic load 11.
Nutrition Data 1/2 Cup Serving White Rice: 84 calories, 18g carbohydrate, 0g fat, 147mg sodium, 0g dietary fiber, 2g protein. Very low in saturated fat & cholesterol, very good source Manganese. Estimated glycemic load 14.
Ingredients: To Cook Rice, You'll Need:
- 1 cup rice
- 1 3/4 cups water (2 cups for brown rice)
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 sturdy 2 quart pot with a tight fitting lid, essential for even cooking
Directions:
- Rinse the rice in a colander until the rinse water is clear
- Drain completely and place in the pot with the water and salt
- Note: If using brown rice, rinse & set aside to soak for 1 - 4 hours, then cook in the soaking water
- Cover with a tight fitting lid and bring to a boil
- Turn burner to very low or simmer and cook for 1- 15 minutes
- For brown rice: turn burner to very low or simmer and cook for 40 - 45 minutes
- Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes with lid on
- Fluff gently with a fork and serve
Helpful Hints For Perfect Rice:
1. We use long grain basmati rice, and these proportions work for that. Different types of rice will need more or less water. Shorter grains usually need a bit less, longer grains more.
2. For brown rice, rinse, increase the cooking time to 45 minutes, and increase the water by to 2 full cups per cup of rice. Soaking it first for 1 - 4 hours will make the rice softer, and cook a little faster, but it's not a necessary step. If you do soak the rice, cook it in the soaking water.
3. Short grain rice is sweeter and stickier. Use slightly less water. If your rice is too sticky and soft, use less water next time, or switch to a long grain variety
4. If your rice is undercooked, but all the water is gone, add a few Tbsp more water, cover, and simmer for 5 - 10 more minutes.
Good Things To Eat With Rice
Combine any of these suggestions as the spirit moves you:
- Cook with a cup of thinly sliced carrots, celery or green beans
- Add frozen peas and minced parsley or mint at the end
- Add 1 tsp olive oil and herbs or spices
- For lacto veggies, add some butter & parmesan cheese
- Incorporate veg sausage pieces, fried tofu pieces, seitan or tempeh
- Serve with soups or stews
- Sprinkle with soy sauce or Braggs liquid aminos
- Add a handful of toasted nuts or sesame seeds
- Make rice pudding with left over rice
- Add some mashed tofu, herbs and spices, make into patties and fry
- Make spanish rice with tomato sauce & spices, wrap in a burrito with some refried beans, guacamole or salsa
- Make simple fried rice
Recipe Comments:
I also add 1/2 cup green lentils when I make rice in my pressure cooker to add even more protein. - Reinhold T.
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