Types of Rice and How to Cook Them

Rice is a grain! And it comes in many different kinds. Here are just a few:

• Long-grain white rice—all-purpose rice; cooks up fluffy and white.
• Short-grain white rice—stickier than long grain; good with Asian foods.
• Converted rice—long-grain rice that is steamed before milling, so it does not stick together when cooked (for example, Uncle Ben’s).
• Brown rice—has more vitamins, fiber, and flavor than white rice; goes well with beans.
• Basmati rice—rice from India with a nutty flavor; more expensive than white rice.
• Arborio rice—another expensive rice that is Italian; very good for making rice pudding.

Hint:  You really do not need to use instant rice. It is expensive and the real thing tastes a lot better.

Cooking White Rice

You will need:

• 2 cups   Water
• 1 cup     Long- or short-grain white rice

Method

• Pour water into a saucepan that has a lid that fits.  Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
• Add the rice to the boiling water, stir and lower the heat to a low simmer.
• Put the lid on the saucepan, and let it cook on low heat for 20 minutes. Do NOT lift the lid while cooking!
• When the 20 minutes are up, lift the lid and look at the rice. There should be no water left in the pot, and the top of the rice should look as if there are holes in it. Do not stir the rice, but taste a grain of rice to see if it has cooked. If not, replace the lid, without stirring, and let it cook for another 5 minutes, then taste it again.
• When it has cooked to your taste, remove the pan from the heat, and use a fork to fluff the rice in the saucepan. Serve with your favorite food.
• Makes 4-6 servings.

Cooking Brown Rice

You will need:

• 3 cups Water
• 1 cup Brown rice

Method

• Pour the water into a saucepan that has a lid that fits.
• Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
• Add the rice to the boiling water, stir, and lower the heat to a low simmer.
• Put the lid on the saucepan, and let the rice cook for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Check the rice after 30 minutes, but do not stir. Taste a grain of rice to see if it is cooked. If it has not cooked enough, replace the lid without stirring, and let it cook for another 5 minutes, then taste again.
• When the rice has cooked to your taste, remove the pan from the heat. Use a fork to fluff the rice and serve.
• Makes 4-6 servings (1 cup uncooked brown rice makes 4 cups cooked rice).

Hint:  Store brown rice in the refrigerator or freezer, because it can spoil easily and quickly. When shopping, look for brown rice on the shelves with the white rice.