Food & Receipts

The Magic of Rice Water: 5 Ingenious Ways to Utilize It in Your Kitchen

Rice water is an incredible, yet often underutilized resource in the kitchen. It's time to unlock its full potential and discover the magic of rice water!

Administrator

3 December, 2024

Cleaning Snail Slime and Mud

Snails bought from the market are often covered in mud and slime, and if not cleaned properly, the dish may not taste as good. A simple way to remove the dirt from the snail’s shell and body is to soak them in rice water for 1-2 hours. After soaking, just rinse them with water, and the snails will be completely clean. Adding a few slices of fresh chili to the rice water also helps the snails open up and clean out more quickly.

Removing Fishy Odor from Fish

Fish is a nutritious food but often has a fishy odor that some people find off-putting. Soaking the fish in rice water for about 15 minutes before cooking is an effective trick to reduce the fishy smell without affecting the freshness of the fish. However, be careful not to soak it for too long, as this can make the fish soft.

Reducing Saltiness of Salted/Dried Fish

Salted or dried fish can be extremely salty due to the heavy salting used for preservation. To reduce the saltiness, you can rinse them with rice water. Rice water not only removes the outer layer of salt but also helps to lessen the salty taste, making the dish more enjoyable.

Cleaning Dishes and Utensils

Before the advent of commercial dishwashing liquids, rice water was used to clean dishes and utensils with minimal grease. If you want to reduce the use of chemicals, you can use rice water and a soft cloth to wipe down your dishes. Then, rinse them with hot water to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned.

Cleaning Burnt Pots and Pans

Pots and pans that are burnt or have been left uncleaned for a long time can be restored by pouring rice water into them, boiling it, and then letting it cool. After that, pour out the water and rinse the pot or pan; you’ll notice it looks shinier. For the exterior, soak it in rice water and use a metal scrubber to clean it effectively, making your cookware look brand new.

Rice water, which was once considered waste, has numerous wonderful uses. Instead of discarding it, try applying these tips to utilize rice water in food preparation and kitchen cleaning.