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Years of eating bland and dry meals? This one ingredient will make your rice fluffy and delicious

This method allows you to cook a pot of soft and fluffy rice, making family meals more delicious.

13 March, 2024

To cook a delicious pot of rice, soft and not too dry or wet, is not easy. For many years of cooking rice, even experienced mothers may not know all the secrets to make the rice soft, fragrant, and delicious. Let’s find out.

Choose fresh rice

Cooking rice for many years but sometimes it’s dry, sometimes it’s sticky, adding this ingredient will make the rice softer and more flavorful – Image 1.
Image: Cooky

To cook delicious rice, the first and most important thing is to choose good rice. Good rice means fresh rice, you should not choose rice that has been stored for a long time because it will lose its nutrients and natural sweetness. When choosing rice, pay attention to the rice grains, they should be even, round, and shiny. Avoid broken, rotten, or yellowish rice grains as they may be of poor quality.

Rinse the rice properly

After choosing good rice, the next step is to rinse the rice. Rinsing the rice not only helps clean the rice but also retains the rice bran, which contains many nutrients. Rinse the rice gently and not too many times to avoid losing nutrients.

Measure the water when cooking

Measuring the water when cooking rice is very important. If you add too much water, the rice will be sticky; if you add too little water, the rice will be dry and may not be fully cooked.

You can use the traditional method as follows: Use your index finger to poke the rice in the pot, the finger should just touch the surface of the rice and not penetrate deep to the bottom of the pot. If the water level reaches the first joint of your finger, it is enough, the rice will not be dry or sticky. Or you can use your entire hand, if the water level passes the back of your hand, it is good. Note that you should gently place your hand on the surface of the rice.

Soak the rice before cooking

This is a step that not everyone knows. Soaking the rice for about 15-20 minutes before cooking will make the rice grains softer, more tender, and fragrant when cooked.

After soaking the rice, you can add a few small pieces of ice, leave it for about 15 minutes, then cook as usual. The cold ice slows down the rice’s absorption of water, making the rice softer and more delicious. At the same time, the ice increases the amount of amino acids and prevents the enzymes from breaking down the natural sweetness in the rice, helping the rice maintain its fragrance and bring out a great taste.

Cooking rice for many years but sometimes it’s dry, sometimes it’s sticky, adding this ingredient will make the rice softer and more flavorful – Image 2.
Image: VTC News

Add something to the cooking water

Not everyone knows this trick, but adding a little salt, or white vinegar, or cooking oil to the cooking water can make the rice more tender and fragrant. Vinegar or salt helps prevent the rice from spoiling, while cooking oil makes the rice grains shiny and tender.

This is the method that the Japanese people have used to create attractive bowls of rice. However, you should note that you should not add oil after the rice is cooked, as it will make the rice oily and give off an oily smell, making it difficult to eat.

Image: foodandwine

Fluff the rice properly

When the rice is cooked, gently fluff the rice to prevent it from becoming mushy and to let the steam escape. This also helps the rice grains stay plump and tender.

Illustration: Asianisration

By applying these secrets, hopefully, you will always cook a pot of rice that is soft, fragrant, and delicious, bringing a delightful taste to every meal for your family.

Source: Đời sống pháp luật

Frequently asked questions

When rinsing rice, be gentle and don’t overdo it. You want to retain the rice bran, which is packed with nutrients. Soaking the rice before cooking makes the grains softer and more fragrant. A unique trick is to add ice after soaking; it slows water absorption, enhancing the rice’s softness and flavor.

Use your index finger as a guide: poke the rice in the pot, and ensure the water level reaches the first joint. Alternatively, use your entire hand; if the water passes the back of your hand, it’s enough. Be sure to place your hand gently on the rice surface.

Absolutely! A little salt, white vinegar, or cooking oil goes a long way. Vinegar and salt prevent spoilage, while oil makes the rice grains shiny and tender. However, add the oil during cooking, not after, to avoid an oily smell and texture.

Gently fluff the rice to prevent it from becoming mushy and to allow steam to escape. This simple step keeps the rice grains plump and tender.