The 19 worst mistakes you can make when cooking rice

Rice seems to be an easy product to prepare, but sometimes it turns out to be very sticky, lumpy, and tasteless. To prevent such a result, you need to know the main features of this process.

OBOZREVATEL, together with eatthis.com, offers to familiarize you with common mistakes that can be made when cooking rice.

Improper storage

Rice should be placed in an airtight container with a lid, even if it is in its original packaging. This will help prevent dust and other contaminants from entering. It can also be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Choosing the wrong cookware

The pan that cooks rice best has a thick bottom so that the heat is distributed evenly. If the bottom is thin, the rice may burn.

Use a lid that does not fit snugly

Cooking rice involves using the right ratio of water to cereal to produce light, airy grains. If the lid of the pot is not suitable or does not fit snugly, steam will escape. It is better to follow the recipe and use the right size lid.

Treat all types of rice equally

Some recipes call for certain types of rice. Arborio is traditional for risotto, jasmine complements Asian dishes, and short-grain rice is preferred for sushi. Each of these types requires a slight adjustment of the liquid and cooking time.

Forgetting to rinse

Rinsing removes starch dust that forms from the grains that are milled in the package. The smaller the amount, the more crumbly the rice structure will be.

Do not explore other cooking methods

An important strategy is to find the method that works best for you. Some people like to steam their rice, while others like to cook it in a pot or skillet. For example, you can heat a frying pan and fry the grains with a little fat so that they are lightly browned. Then add the liquid, close the lid, and place in a preheated oven for 30 minutes at 180 °C.

Do not fry the rice

A key feature of cooking rice is toasting it before adding water. This adds a nutty flavor.

Failure to observe the correct ratio of water to rice

Most often, it is recommended to take 2 parts of water to 1 part of rice. But if you serve rice, for example, with stewed meat, it is better to stick to a ratio of 1.5:1.

Forgetting to add salt

Rice itself is completely tasteless, so don't forget about salt.

Stir frequently

It is advisable to stir rice only after adding it to boiling water. Doing this once will help to avoid getting raw rice in the center.

Cook rice over high heat

Too high a temperature will cause the rice grains to break and release too much starch. This can cause the rice to stick together. The best way is to bring water to a boil, add the rice, reduce the heat, and cover.

Remove the lid

Lifting the lid of a pot releases steam and pressure. In turn, this can cause the temperature to drop, which will affect the evenness of cooking.

Stir the rice from time to time

Stirring the rice is the worst mistake you can make when cooking rice. This will lead to a sticky, starchy result.

Do not let the rice rest

When the rice is cooked, it is important to have a little patience. It is necessary to leave it in the pot so that the moisture is evenly distributed over the grains.

Use the wrong mixing tool

Any method that breaks up grains also adds starch and a glutinous feel to the final product. Stirring rice is the same. After the rice is cooked, you need to stir it with a special fork with long tines. Using a spoon can ruin its structure.

Leave rice for more than two hours

Bacillus Cereus is a common bacterium that causes foodborne illness and is found in raw rice. The spores do not die during the cooking process and multiply rapidly when the food reaches room temperature. A good rule of thumb for rice is to refrigerate for two hours.

Eating leftovers

Once rice is transferred to an airtight container in the refrigerator, it can be stored for a maximum of 4 to 6 days.

Use chopsticks without knowing the tradition

Chopsticks stuck in a bowl of rice are believed to symbolically represent food left at a Japanese funeral. It is also wrong to pass food from one chopstick to another, as this way the bones of the dead were passed on. It is better to put them on a small plate that is given for this purpose, and not in the dish itself.

Giving up too soon

Just because the rice is hard or sticky doesn't mean you should give up! Watery rice can be dried on a baking sheet in the oven at 180 °C, and undercooked rice can be saved by adding a little hot water and allowing the dish to steam for a while.