In a hot and humid climate like Vietnam’s, ice is undoubtedly essential. People are accustomed to using ice to chill drinks or in food preparation. Additionally, ice is used for various other purposes, such as:
1 Maintain Crispness in Food
After boiling vegetables such as broccoli, snow peas, or dragon beans, immerse them in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes before draining. This technique ensures the vegetables remain crisp and retain their vibrant colors. For raw vegetables intended for consumption, this method can also be applied to maintain crispness.
Furthermore, when boiling pork intestines, try soaking them in ice water to achieve a crispier and more delightful texture.
Maintain Crispness in Food
2 Absorb Grease from Dishes
When cooking, if you find that your soup, stew, or braised dish has excess fat, simply add a few ice cubes. The ice will attract and solidify the grease, which will then cling to the cubes. Promptly remove the ice cubes afterward.
3 Water Plants
When you’re short on time and can’t use a hose to water your potted plants, simply place a few ice cubes on the surface of the pot. Adjust the amount of ice according to the size of the plant—more for larger plants and fewer for smaller ones. As the ice melts, the water will naturally seep into the soil, allowing the plant roots to absorb it easily.
4 Cook Fluffier and Tastier Rice
This is one of the secrets to cooking fluffy and delicious rice, as practiced by Japanese homemakers. After rinsing the rice and adding water to the pot, drop in 2–3 ice cubes and let it sit for about 15–20 minutes before cooking.
The ice delays the rice’s absorption of water and increases its fluffiness. It also boosts the amino acid content and prevents the enzyme that breaks down the rice’s sweetness, resulting in a more flavorful cooked dish.
5 Eliminate Toilet Bowl Odors
If you’ve ever noticed, many restaurants and eateries drop ice cubes into urinals. The ice helps to rapidly evaporate the unpleasant odors from urine.
When ammonia in urine comes into contact with ice, it freezes and quickly evaporates. The urine also becomes diluted and swiftly drains away.