When cooking rice, most people are familiar with adding a little salt to enhance the flavor and make the rice more fragrant. However, this is not commonly done with plain rice. Culinary experts have experimented and found that adding a few grains of salt when cooking rice ensures that the rice is fragrant and does not stick to the pot.
The secret to cooking delicious rice with a few grains of sea salt
White rice is an essential dish in Vietnamese family meals. However, not everyone knows how to cook delicious, soft, and fragrant rice.
Salt is one of the most important seasonings in cooking. Adding salt to food enhances the flavor and makes it tastier. Many people have the habit of soaking rice with salt before cooking to make it more flavorful. Some people still do not understand why salt is added when soaking rice. In fact, during the soaking process, the rice grains soften and expand, but they also become less flavorful. Adding salt to the soaking water helps the rice to cook up more flavorful and delicious.
Similarly, when cooking plain rice, you can also apply the technique of adding a few grains of salt to the soaking water or rubbing the rice grains with salt before rinsing. Nowadays, there are many different types of rice available. Some are sweet and delicious, while others are dry, hard, and bland. When cooking rice, adding a few grains of salt along with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar will make the rice sweeter and more flavorful. Science has proven the effects of salt when cooking rice:
– Salt makes the cooked rice more flavorful and longer-lasting, especially on hot sunny days.
– Adding a little salt to the pot before cooking makes the rice tastier and longer-lasting.
– Salt is also an ingredient that helps preserve food better by increasing its alkalinity. Even on hot sunny days, salt can preserve rice without the need for refrigeration.
– When there is leftover cold rice from the previous day, adding a little diluted saltwater when reheating will eliminate any strange smells.
Notes on rinsing rice
Rice provides carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, supplying energy to the body. It mainly contains B vitamins (B1, B3, B6) and fiber. Additionally, rice contains vitamin E, iron, zinc, and even omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are most abundant in the outer layer of the rice grain. Therefore, if the rice is rinsed too thoroughly, washing away the cloudy water, it will reduce the important nutrients in the rice grain. Along with that, the bran layer of rice contains a lot of cellulose, which promotes the excretion of cholesterol and reduces harmful cholesterol levels in the blood.
Many people enjoy eating visually appealing white rice without knowing that the more refined the rice is, the lower the cellulose content. At that point, the rice will be less filling, leading to a higher intake of food and an increased risk of obesity. White rice cooked from polished rice that has been rubbed to remove the bran layer and then polished to prevent mold. This means that the best nutrients in the rice grain are no longer present. Absorbing too much starch from white rice can lead to diabetes, edema, and high blood pressure. Therefore, rinsing rice also requires specific standards. Here are some tips for rinsing rice to ensure nutrition and delicious rice:
– Soak the rice for about 30 minutes before rinsing and cooking for better taste.
– Brown rice requires a longer soaking time, about 6-7 hours.
– Soaking rice not only softens the grains but also helps decompose natural inhibitory substances in the grains so that they do not interfere with human digestion and absorption.
– White rice that has had the bran layer removed does not require a long soaking time.
– White rice should not be rinsed too thoroughly to avoid losing the outer layer that contains a lot of vitamin B1.
– It is advisable to rinse rice in a bowl rather than directly in an electric rice cooker. The inner pot of an electric rice cooker has a non-stick coating. Rinsing rice directly in the rice cooker can cause scratches that damage the non-stick coating and make the rice stick to the pot, which is harmful to human health. Rinsing rice in a bowl also allows you to pick out any impurities or husks that may be present in the rice.
– If the rice has been soaked, it is recommended to cook it with boiling water instead of cold water, as boiling water quickly forms a protective layer on the outside of the rice, preventing it from becoming mushy when cooked.
Tips for Preparing and Storing Rice During Hot Weather
Rice During Hot Weather’>
It’s no secret that in warmer months the proper storage of food, especially cold rice, can be a nightmare. However, with a few simple tips, we can help you cook the perfect batch of rice and keep it from going rancid. Read on to learn all the essential steps and how to preserve the rice!