I still remember from my childhood that cooking rice daily was quite a tedious task. First, I had to light the stove, then add an appropriate amount of water to the pot. Only when the water boiled could I add the rice. When the rice was half-cooked, I had to scoop out some of the water. Finally, I covered the pot and simmered the rice over low heat to let it steam cook.
Nowadays, with the advancement of science and technology, cooking rice has become much easier. All you need to do is rinse the rice, put it into an electric rice cooker, press a button, and in less than half an hour, the rice will be ready. While cooking rice in an electric rice cooker is simple, not everyone knows the secret to making it fragrant and fluffy.
The convenience of modern rice cooking with electric rice cookers.
Most people just add water to the rice and start cooking. However, simply adding water is not enough! To make rice that is fragrant, fluffy, and distinct in texture, we only need to add two ingredients to the water during cooking. Over the years, whenever friends asked me, “Why is your rice so delicious?” I always shared this method with them. After trying it out, they all praised this secret technique.
Step 1: Rinsing the Rice – Many people, when rinsing rice, tend to put the rice into water, rub it vigorously, drain the cloudy water, and repeat until the water runs clear. However, this can wash away valuable vitamins and the natural fragrance on the rice surface, resulting in less tasty rice. The correct way to rinse rice is to put it in water, gently rub it once, and then rinse it with running water.
Step 2: Soaking the Rice – After rinsing the rice, it is essential to soak it in water for about 15-20 minutes. Soaking allows the rice grains to absorb moisture evenly, resulting in softer cooked rice. Additionally, the aromatic compounds in the rice will blend better with the water, enhancing the flavor of the cooked rice. However, avoid soaking the rice for too long; if it exceeds half an hour, the rice will lose its texture.
Step 3: Water to Rice Ratio – The ratio of water to rice is crucial. For fluffy rice that isn’t mushy, the ratio of rice to water should be 1:1.2.
Step 4: The Secret Ingredients – To make fragrant, fluffy, and glossy rice, add 3 drops of white vinegar and half a teaspoon of peanut oil to the water. Vinegar’s acidity helps modify the starch, resulting in softer rice. Most oils have a pleasant aroma; adding a small amount not only enhances the fragrance but also improves the rice’s appearance.
Note: Avoid using soybean oil, rapeseed oil, or oils with strong flavors. If possible, use a teaspoon of coconut oil to add an extra layer of flavor to the rice.
The secret ingredients: white vinegar and peanut oil.
Step 5: Cooking the Rice – Electric rice cookers usually have preset programs for cooking rice. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular model. After the rice is cooked, do not open the lid immediately; let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the aroma to infuse deeply into each grain of rice.
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