Rice is a staple in cultures around the globe. Just by changing the rice, a new dish and culture open up. Different types are readily available in most markets. Why not try something new today? I’ve provided a few of my favorite types of rice and simple, easy instructions on how to cook them.
White Rice
This is the ubiquitous rice that everyone recognizes. It’s not the most nutritious, but many prefer it for its soft, fluffy texture. It also cooks the quickest as well.
Here’s how to cook it:
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Add 1 cup of rice.
- Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low.
- Make sure you don’t open the lid. There should be gentle puffs of steam coming out of the lid. If the lid is rattling and bursts of steam explode from the lid, your heat is too high.
- After 20 minutes the water should have evaporated.
- Turn off the heat. Fluff with a fork and serve.
Brown Rice
Popular for its nutritional value, brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice. Most people don’t want to babysit it, so here’s a foolproof way of cooking it:
- Bring 1 cup of brown rice and 12 cups of water to a boil.
- Boil for 30 minutes, uncovered. Go start on some other part of the meal or clean up.
- Turn off the heat.
- Drain the rice into a strainer. Let it drain for a few seconds. Keep the pot nearby.
- Return the rice to the pan. Cover it immediately and put on top of the stove, but do not turn on the heat.
- Steam for 10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
Basmati Rice
No Indian dish is complete without the fluffy, fragrant presence of basmati rice. This long grain expands after cooking. It tastes a bit nutty and goes well with other additions, such as peas and potatoes.
Here’s how to cook it:
- Rinse 1 cup of rice to remove some of the starch and drain in a strainer.
- Combine 1 ¼ cups of water with the rice.
- Cover and cook over medium-low heat for approximately 15 minutes. Check to see if the water has evaporated. There should be steam holes on top.
- Turn off the heat. Keep the lid in place.
- Leave on for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Enjoy.
Wild Rice
Technically wild rice isn’t rice. It’s actually a grass that grows along the water. By itself, wild rice has a strong flavor, so that’s why it’s often mixed with other kinds of rice or used as a pilaf. I personally love it with mushrooms. It is highly nutritious and not as readily available as the other rices, which explains why it costs more.
Here’s how to cook it:
- Rinse 1 cup of wild rice in cold water. Shake and drain it.
- Bring the rice and 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cover with a lid.
- Cook 45 minutes. Check to see if some grains have burst open. It should taste chewy.
- If you want it more tender, cover again and cook another 10-15 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- Drain it in a strainer.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
Summing It Up
So these are just a few types of rice you can try. Remember that you don’t have to stick to these basic recipes. Feel free to experiment, adjusting the cooking times as necessary. Bon Appetit!
