To serve microwave rice at at dinner party

[millespadpuddy]

AIBU by thinking it would be handy to serve the uncle bens microwave rice at a dinner party for 10.
Would anyone notice?It would be one less think to worry about.I'm making a curry the day before.
Or is there a good way to reheat rice?

[Shazafied]

Definitely just do it ! Microwave rice and whatever other easy options you can possibly take. You want to be able to enjoy the evening !

[SoftSheen]

Don't risk reheating rice, you might give everyone terrible food poisoning.

Basmati rice is so easy to cook anyway- why not just do it on the day?

[Charm23]

If cook fresh basmati rice on the day as microwave rice isn't as nice, something about the texture and taste.

[madcatladyforever]

Nobody will know it tastes exactly the same.

[Whoopstheregomyinsides]

Wouldn't even give a thought to this - do it !

[SweetMelodies]

At least it’s guaranteed not to be soggy etc

I love the uncle bens packs soo easy and tastes good

[HeadintheiClouds]

God, no. Curry is fine reheated (better, in fact), but rice is a definite no no. If you’re not doing the curry on the day the rice shouldn’t be too onerous?

[SweetMelodies]

Think the OP means the uncle bens rice in a packet that you microwave in 2 mins? Not repeating previously cooked rice

[millespadpuddy]

I suppose I just worry that I'll be chatting etc and end up over cooking it.Always turns out fine when just cooking for ourselves.

[allymcn]

No one will even notice! I literally live off those pouches, they age a lifesaver!

[peachgreen]

You absolutely can tell microwave rice from real rice - it's fine but I personally would probably just buy a rice cooker, they're not expensive and you'll use it loads.

[Griefmonster]

Would be fine to do microwave pouches but I recently discovered baking rice and it is basically foolproof and great for large numbers. One version here: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2695/basmati-pilaff

[millespadpuddy]

Thanks so much for all the replies.I might try the baked recipe.Had never heard of rice cookers...

[millespadpuddy]

Argos has a Cookworks rice cooker that has good reviews and it's not too expensive.
I enjoy entertaining so I think it could be very useful.Thanks for the tip.

[peachgreen]

That's the one I have and it's done me 15 years of at least twice weekly use.

[peachgreen]

Oops, not 15. I can't do maths. 10!

[GirlRaisedInTheSouth]

Why would you do that? Get yourself a rice cooker. They’re only cheap and will keep the rice warm after cooking.

I use my rice cooker about 4 times a week. Couldn’t be without it.

[GotToGoMyOwnWay]

I always bake rice - long grain, with stock, tomato & garlic purée. Stick in oven 30/40 minutes. Job done.

[CheeseChipsMayo]

Great idea-Though i regularly reheat rice as its a bit exxy &we eat LOTS😃have done all my life-one big pot-does us for whatever curry/chili/mexican i defrost from the batch bake..lifes too short to waste peeing about in the kitchen on non-essentials!

[CompletelyAtSea]

Rice cooker!!
I had curry party for 10 recently and my rice cooker happily made more than enough rice in 45 mins. It's an amazing thing ❤️ I use it to make grain salads too - mix different rices with bulgar wheat and freekah and giant couscous and cook it all together.

Also, if I have leftover rice from a meal I rinse it in a sieve under cold water until it's properly cold. Drain it and freeze in portion sizes immediately. Then microwave from frozen to accompany curry on another day. Avoids the dangerous "lukewarm" phase when bacteria multiply.

[BrokenWing]

How many packs would you need to microwave for 10 people, sounds like more of a faff.

Rice is so easy to cook, stick it on and set your oven timer so you don't forget about it.

[Pekkanekka]

My husband cooks rice in the microwave in a big pot and it's really easy - takes about 20 minutes, but it always cooks perfectly and would probably be easier than putting lots of pouches in there.
I'll check the proportions and timings and let you know.

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

How many pouches can you nuke at once though? It could end up taking ages.

[Herocomplex]

You don’t have to microwave the rice in the pouches, I tip it out into a bowl.
I do it all the time, the Tilda coconut rice is amazing. Cooking rice for ten unless you’ve got an electric cooker is a faff, and you can use the cooker space for making dhal!

[Myshitisreal]

I would know the difference between packet Rice and home cooked. We regularly reheat rice at least twice a week. I cook double batches and freezer half. As long as its cooled quickly, refrigerated as soon as possible and reheated to piping hot then all is well. We've been doing this for years with no ill effects. Fried rice is always made using precooked and cooked rice (as that's what works best). We make plain rice and fry with fresh ginger, Lemon and turmeric, pilau rice reheated in a large tub until piping hot (fork and mix halfway through), egg fried rice, Singapore fried rice, I make yellow rice which is also dinged. Sometimes lifes too short. The danger with rice is if its not cooled quick enough, or not reheated until piping hot.

See to be honest though, at the end of the day, you're the cook, so what you say goes 😁

I use basmati rice for all the above. I have a failsafe method.

Measure rice using cups (or a small something). It's all about the ratio of rice to water.

After rinsing rice until it runs clear, use the same cup and add twice the amount of boiling water and a pinch of salt.

Once bubbling, put the lid on and down to lowest setting for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat keeping lid on, and steam for 5 minutes.

Put into container to cool, fridge as soon as cool. Freeze or reheat within 3 days.

I do 2 cups of rice, 4 cups of boiling water. This is two generous portions for myself and my husband.