| The easiest way to make rice well every time | | | | sure-fire way that my other grandmother |
| is to use a rice cooker. If you don't have | | | | taught me. This is how I cook rice when I |
| one, or don't want one, though, here's a | | | | want it somewhat plain.You will need:However |
| no-fail recipe | | | | much rice you want up to 5 cups.A pot of |
| | | | water, salted, with about a tablespoon of |
| for rice that one of my grandmothers taught | | | | oilA strainerA large bowlDirections:1.Set the |
| my mother, who taught me. This one, I use | | | | pot of oiled and salted water on high |
| mainly for seasoned rice dishes because | | | | heat.2.In a large bowl, rinse the rice |
| things can be | | | | repeatedly, until the water is somewhat |
| | | | clear.3.Drain as much water as you can from |
| added to it before boiling, or broth (a | | | | the rice, and then wait 'til your water on |
| plain soup) can be used in place of | | | | the stove boils.4.When the water reaches a |
| water.This is for 4 substantial servings (4 | | | | fast, rolling boil, gently pour in the |
| rice bowls).You will need:1 large saucepan, | | | | rice.5.Stir to make sure the rice doesn't |
| or a short pot.2 cups of white rice, | | | | stick together, and then wait.6.Occasionally |
| preferably persian, glutinous, or converted, | | | | stir the rice, and after 10 minutes, check to |
| depending on how sticky you like it.2 | | | | see if it's done.7.Check every two minutes |
| tablespoons of butter, margarine, rendered | | | | after that, and when it's as soft as you |
| fat, or vegetable oil.water or broth as | | | | like, turn off the heat and then pour the |
| needed (usually 3 to 3.5 cups)salt to | | | | contents of the pot into astrainer.8.Shake |
| tasteDirections:1.Put the rice in the bottom | | | | the strainer a bit, to get out as much excess |
| of the saucepan, and wash it thoroughly by | | | | water as possible, and then return the rice |
| rinsing, and then pouring off the cloudy | | | | to the now empty pot.9.Season to taste, and |
| water. Repeat until youcan recognize grains | | | | then serve.Rice cooked this way can also be |
| of rice through the water, and then pour this | | | | used for rice balls, unless it is parboiled |
| last rinse out.2.Put your middle finger in | | | | rice. Parboiled rice should never be used if |
| the saucepan until it touches the bottom, and | | | | you prefer it sticky on its own, but is the |
| put in water or broth until the level reaches | | | | best to use when making the deep fried |
| the second line ofyour finger.3.Add your salt | | | | breaded rice balls.More Rice TipsFor golden |
| and oil.4.Place on the stove, and cover | | | | coloured rice, stir a teaspoon of turmeric |
| loosely, which means there should be a | | | | into the water before the rice begins to |
| centimeter of space between the side of the | | | | cook.Seasoning blocks or bouillon give a nice |
| cover and the edgeof the pot or | | | | flavor to rice. It will need to be stirred |
| saucepan.5.Turn on the stove at medium/low | | | | after cooking to evenly distribute it |
| heat, and leave it alone for about 20 | | | | though.Use leftover rice to make fried rice. |
| minutes.6.Check to see if it's done, and if | | | | It can also be used to add a bit of starch to |
| not, come back every 5 minutes.7.If you need | | | | a meatloaf in place of bread crumbs.Never let |
| to check, and can't tell from looking at the | | | | cooked rice sit out for more than a couple of |
| top, stick a spoon in the middle, and push | | | | hours without keeping it very hot. Rice |
| gently to the side to see if there is | | | | turns very quickly. To serve it at parties |
| anywater left. If there is, then move the | | | | that may last awhile, but keep it from |
| rice back to cover the hole. Try not to | | | | burning at the bottom, put it in a pan atop a |
| touch it too much.8.If you run out of water | | | | pan of water that is over a tea light or |
| before the rice is the level of softness you | | | | other warmer. To cool it off quickly before |
| want, in the well you make in it for | | | | it turns after a meal, transfer it from the |
| checking, just pour a quarter cupof hot water | | | | pot to smaller containers.If you are on a |
| to the middle, and move the rice back over to | | | | salt restricted diet but don't like your rice |
| cover the water.9.When it's done, turn off | | | | too sweet, use a couple of dashes of pepper |
| the heat, and cover the rice completely, and | | | | and salt free chicken broth to enhance |
| let it sit for 5 minutes.10.Stir, and then | | | | |
| serve.Then, there is the other absolute | | | | the taste. |