Add 2 Ice Cubes for Tastier Rice
Cooking rice is a daily chore for most families. Besides the basic methods, many chefs also share simple yet effective tips and tricks to enhance the cooking process. Instead of just using water, try this recipe for tastier rice:
A Handy Tip for Cooking Rice with Just 2 Ice Cubes
Firstly, adding ice cubes to the rice cooker has numerous benefits that many users are unaware of. See the illustration below.
Step 1: Rinse the Rice First
To cook delicious rice, always start by rinsing the rice. This cleans the grains, after which you add just enough water before turning on the cooker. The ideal rice-to-water ratio is approximately 1:1.2.
However, this ratio varies for different types of rice, so it’s best to rely on your experience. The ice cubes will delay the rice’s absorption of water: add 2-3 cubes, wait for about 15 minutes, and then turn on the cooker or press the ‘cook’ button.
This is one of the methods used by the Japanese to cook fragrant and sticky rice. And magically, the result is always delicious, fluffy, and highly nutritious rice.
Step 2: Measure the Water Level When Cooking
After rinsing the rice, add water, and measure how much is enough. Traditionally, you can use your index finger by placing it in the rice cooker, with the tip barely touching the rice and not reaching the bottom of the pot. If the water level reaches the first knuckle, it’s enough, and your rice won’t be too dry or mushy. Alternatively, use your whole hand; if the water level submerges your hand, it’s good to go. Just remember to rest your hand gently on the rice’s surface.
Step 3: Add a Few Small Ice Cubes
After soaking the rice, add a few small ice cubes, wait for about 15 minutes, and then cook as usual. Ice cubes slow down the rice’s water absorption, resulting in stickier and tastier rice.
Additionally, ice increases the amino acid content and prevents the enzymatic breakdown of the rice’s natural sugars, preserving its fragrance and enhancing its flavor.
The Secret to Wealth: Unveiling the Ancient Practice of the Three Jars of Rice, Salt, and Water on the Ancestral Altar
In the realm of feng shui, placing three jars of rice, salt, and water on an altar is a symbolic gesture of inviting good fortune and prosperity into one’s home. This ancient practice is believed to attract positive energy and create a harmonious environment, bringing balance and abundance to those who embrace it.