Rice, as a staple food on the table of Chinese, appears on our table almost every day. However, it is not easy to cook a pot of rice that is soft and delicious, and full of grains. Many people think that they just need to add some water to the pot and cook it, but this is not the case. In the process of cooking rice, in addition to adding water, we also need to add two more things so that the cooked rice will be more delicious.
Choose the appropriate ratio of rice to water
First of all, we need to make it clear that the ratio of rice to water is the key to cooking rice. Generally, the ratio of rice to water is 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water. But this is not absolute, as different rice species, different cooking utensils, and even different altitudes will have an impact on the ratio of rice to water. Therefore, in practice, we need to adjust the ratio of rice to water according to the specific situation.
Add the appropriate amount of oil and vinegar
In addition to water and rice, we also need to add two things – oil and vinegar. The role of these two things should not be underestimated.
1. Add the appropriate amount of oil
Adding the right amount of oil while cooking the rice can make the rice fluffier and smoother. At the same time, the oil also forms a protective film on the surface of the rice, preventing the rice from overabsorbing water and becoming sticky during the cooking process. Generally speaking, we can add 1-2 drops of cooking oil along with water, so that the cooked rice will be more fragrant and delicious.
2. Add an appropriate amount of vinegar
Adding the right amount of vinegar is also a small tip for cooking rice. Vinegar can make the rice more fluffy while also removing odors from the rice. However, it should be noted that the amount of vinegar added should not be too much, otherwise it will affect the taste of the rice. Generally speaking, we can add 1-2 drops of white vinegar or rice vinegar along with water, so that the cooked rice will be more fragrant and delicious.
Choice of rice cooking utensils
In addition to the above-mentioned ratio of rice to water, the addition of oil and vinegar, the choice of cooking utensils is also an important factor affecting the taste of rice. At present, the common rice cooking utensils on the market mainly include rice cookers, pressure cookers, casseroles, etc. Different rice cooking utensils have different effects on the taste and nutrient content of rice.
1. Rice cooker
Rice cookers are the most common rice cooking utensils, they are easy to operate, easy to use, and have good control over the time and temperature of cooking rice, resulting in fragrant and delicious rice. When using a rice cooker to cook rice, we just need to add the appropriate amount of oil and vinegar according to the above ratio of rice and water, and then put the rice and water into the rice cooker and press the cook button.
2. Pressure cooker
The pressure cooker takes a short cooking time to cook the rice quickly, and the cooked rice has a fuller and more elastic texture. However, it should be noted that when using a pressure cooker to cook rice, you need to control the heat and time to avoid the cooked rice being too thick or too hard.
3. Casserole
Casserole cooking rice can maintain the nutrients and texture of rice well, and the cooked rice is more fragrant and delicious. But casserole cooking takes longer and requires patience. At the same time, when using a casserole to cook rice, you need to pay attention to the control of the heat and the amount of water added to avoid the cooked rice being too sticky or too hard.
Cooking tips and precautions
In addition to the above ratio of rice to water, the addition of oil and vinegar, and the choice of rice cooking utensils, there are also some cooking tips and precautions that we need to pay attention to:
1. Soak the rice in advance
Before cooking the rice, we can soak the rice for a while in advance. In this way, the rice can fully absorb water and expand, and the cooked rice will be more plump and elastic. At the same time, soaking rice can also remove impurities and odors from the rice.
2. Pay attention to the control of the heat
No matter what kind of cooking utensils are used, it is very important to control the heat. If the heat is too large or too small, it will affect the taste and nutritional content of the rice. Therefore, during the cooking process, we need to adjust the size and length of the heat according to the specific situation.
3. Avoid stirring too much
During the cooking process, we need to avoid stirring the rice multiple times. Because repeated stirring will destroy the protective film on the surface of the rice, causing the rice to absorb too much water and become sticky. Therefore, during the cooking process we only need to stir once when adding water.
4. Do not open the lid immediately after cooking
When the rice is cooked, do not open the lid and take it out immediately, but let the rice simmer in the pan for a while. This will make the rice fluffier and smoother. At the same time, braising rice can also distribute the moisture in the rice more evenly throughout the pan, avoiding stickiness.
To sum up, it is not easy to cook a pot of rice that is soft and delicious, and full of grains. In addition to paying attention to the ratio of rice to water and adding the appropriate amount of oil and vinegar, we also need to choose the right cooking utensils and master the cooking skills and precautions. Only then can we easily cook a pot of delicious rice that will bring a healthy and delicious treat to the family.