Rice!

Where I come from rice is a staple, we eat it with just about every meal! I used to use a rice cooker but sadly it died on me. Heartbroken I set out to find a new rice cooker, it was then I realized you can prepare rice in a pressure cooker so I broke down and finally bought one. It was the best decision I ever made! Not only does it make amazing rice but obviously you can do many other things with it!

Whether you are using a stove top pot, a rice cooker or a pressure cooker there are few simple rules for the best taste and texture for all types of rice.

Rinse Rice Thoroughly:

• Add rice to whatever you will be using to cook it ~ pot, rice maker, pressure cooker.
• Cover with water and mix vigorously with your hand. The water will turn milky, that’s the stuff you want to wash out.
• Drain water being careful to not dump out the rice along with it.
• Repeat as many times as necessary until the water is almost clear. White rice will require more rinsing than other types. I usually rinse white rice at least 5 or 6 times.

Measure the water:

• Rule of thumb is to have equal parts rice and water. 1 cup rice = 1 cup water.
• Pressure Cooker: If you don’t want to mess with measuring cups use your finger to determine how much water to add. The top of the water should be equal to the first bend on your index finger over the rice.
• Rice Cooker: Most rice cookers come with a measuring cup and lines on the side. Use the cup that came with the cooker for the best results. 1 cup = 1 line on the side.
• Stove top: Follow the same measuring process as the pressure cooker – water exceeds rice up to the first bend on your index finger.

Cooking Time: (for white & jasmine rice*)

• Pressure Cooker: Press the rice button to start. If your pressure cooker doesn’t have a rice button it is usually 6 minutes. Be sure to turn “Keep Warm” off or it will dry out the rice and burn the bottom. The time is the same no matter how much rice you are cooking.
• Rice Cooker: Press start, it’s that simple! However, it takes longer than the pressure cooker and even longer the more you make. Average time is roughly 30 minutes. It should have a count down timer to let you know remaining cook time.
• Stove Top: Average cooking, including rest time, is 30 minutes. You MUST have a pot with a tight fitting lid that can keep the steam in. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to medium low or low and simmer for 10 minutes. Check the rice, if there are steam holes scattered through the surface of the cooked rice it is fully cooked. Let it sit for 10 minutes and passively steam, this is part of the cooking time. For more in depth stove top cooking instructions click here.

*Brown rice and other multi grain rices take longer to cook.