Did you know that cooking rice with soy milk instead of water can not only make it taste better but also make it much healthier? Read on to find out more about this interesting cooking method.
Is Cooking Rice with Soy Milk Good for You?
According to experts, the combination of rice and soy milk is fantastic. It not only makes the rice more delicious and sticky but also doubles its nutritional value.
Specifically, both rice and soy milk are rich in protein, but rice protein lacks lysine. Lysine is an essential amino acid for the human body, as it helps boost the immune system and improves the function of the central nervous system. Luckily, soy milk is rich in lysine, which makes up for this deficiency in rice.
On the other hand, the methionine content in soy milk is very low, while rice is rich in this amino acid. Methionine is involved in protein formation in the body and protects cells from external factors.
Some studies also show that cooking rice with soy milk can help delay the increase in blood sugar levels, making it especially suitable for people with diabetes.
Moreover, the fatty acids present in soy milk enhance the flavor and aroma of the rice. This is a healthy, low-calorie food option. Typically, 100g of regular white rice contains 116 calories, while 100g of rice cooked in soy milk has only about 135 calories. So, you don’t have to worry about a significant calorie difference.
Rice cooked with soy milk also helps prevent diseases related to blood pressure, cardiovascular health, and stroke, while also being highly effective in combating aging.
How to Cook Rice with Soy Milk
– Rinse the rice thoroughly and put it in the rice cooker.
– Add soy milk to the rice cooker. Note that the soy milk must be diluted. If it is too thick, the rice will become hard.
– The ratio of soy milk to rice needs to be carefully measured. Usually, for 200g of rice, you would use 260ml of water. However, if using soy milk, you will need 300ml.
– After completing the above steps, press the “cook” button as you normally would.
– The rice cooked this way will be incredibly fragrant. The rice grains will be whiter and sweeter, a noticeable difference from regular rice.
Some Tips for Cooking Rice
– Do not rinse the rice too vigorously. According to experts, the nutrients in rice are mostly found in the cloudy white powder that clings to the surface. Rinsing too vigorously will remove proteins, glucids, lipids, minerals, and B vitamins. So, it is recommended to rinse the rice gently, no more than 2-3 times.
– Avoid rinsing the rice directly in the rice cooker, as this can scratch the protective coating on the bottom of the cooker. This not only makes the cooker look less appealing but also affects your health.
It is advisable to rinse the rice in a colander to remove all the remaining husks and dirt before transferring it to the cooker as usual.
– Choose high-quality rice with long, unbroken grains.
– Soaking the rice for about 30 minutes will ensure that it cooks evenly and has a better texture. Typically, it takes 25-30 minutes for the rice to cook, and it is recommended to let it rest for another 10 minutes afterward to achieve the perfect level of doneness.
– After rinsing the rice and before adding water, put 2-3 ice cubes in the cooker and wait for about 15 minutes before plugging it in and cooking the rice. Research shows that adding ice cubes prevents the enzymes from breaking down the rice’s sweetness while increasing the amino acid content, resulting in more flavorful rice.
– You can use powdered milk to cook rice, but make sure to dilute it with water before adding it to the cooker.