To think rice manufacturers should tell the truth

[Partypoppers]

Boiling some rice. Says 10 mins. It's been on a boil for 20 and still not done. FFS this is why I buy microwave rice. Just needed to rant. They lie on the packets

Soaking. It’s the answer

That's the arsenic reduced approach

It’s a punishment from above for eating carbs

As an Indian person I eat/cook rice daily. How can it take 20 mins?! With white rice or basmati I just double the amount of water, bring to a rolling boil, simmer and then at the 12 min or so mark, switch it off and let it sit and cook in its own steam. Only ever fluff with a fork.

What you need is good-quality rice and good quality pan, that does the trick. We rarely eat rice but we noted cheap ones took longer

Definitely agree with the rice cooker it's a game changer. 1 cup rice per person and 1 cup of water per cup of rice. Switch it on and wait til it pings. Voila perfect rice.

When you live in SEA in even the most high end accommodation it’s also a way of making sure some extra protein hasn’t crept into your rice. You could shop in the local equivalent of Harrods Food Hall and it’s still a risk 😂

Hot pan, slightly toast rice, add double the volume of water, bring to the boil put the lid on, then gas hob down as low as it goes. Ten minutes, lid off, fluff with a fork. I often chuck in peas, green beans etc just before putting the lid on and turning down the temp.

They come with a zip and you store it in the pantry.

I lived with a guy back in the early 90s who could cook perfect rice on the top of a woodburning stove - rice, cold water to cover a flat hand on top of the rice, lid on pan and cook. He was a Vietnam Vet, so learned the hard way.

😂

God, no…a large roast chicken would feed us two for a single evening meal, only! Small one wouldn’t touch the sides. Tomorrow, we’ll chomp our way through 4lb of rolled boneless lamb leg with four large beetroots, a large parsnip, two large carrots, a red onion, a courgette and a whole packet of Morrisons green beans. We’ll eat all that and have room for dessert and at least one Easter egg 😁. Still, struggle to finish a pack of rice between us…especially those Merchant Gourmet monsters!

Rice is easy (assuming white basmati rice).

x weight of rice
2x of water.
bring to boil, turn down to the lowest setting on the hob
boil for 12 mins
turn heat off but leave for 5 mins

do not take the lid off at any time other than the start or very end of the process.

This is what I do too!

Honestly @Partypoppers its not difficult

Google how to cook rice and follow the recipe.

you don’t boil rice, you steam it.

We’ve had a microwave rice cooker since 1999 (well, we bought a new one a couple of years ago when our old one had it) but they’re brilliant!

Portion of basmati for 2 people takes 11/12 mins
perfect!
Lakeland sell fab ones.

rice shouldn't be boiled anyway. it should steam
and absorb all the water

If you rinse rice and then put it in cold water, bring to the boil and then take off the heat it’ll cook through if you leave the lid on. Super handy when you are trying to cook on a single hob.

But doesn’t it reabsorb the arsenic that way?

Microwave basmati
double the amount of boiling water to rice.
Cover
10 mins on low.
leave to stand for 5-10 mins.

Rice, water, bring to boil, turn heat right down, place tea towel on lid on.

Leave for 5 mins.
Take off heat and set aside until required

I could never get the hang of rice on the hob. It's always either burnt or still sloppy. I know this is a very straightforward kitchen task but I've never mastered it. My favourite rice is brown basmati and I do it in the Instant Pot. No idea how it compares to a rice cooker but it was a game changer for me:

• rinse 200g brown basmati rice in a sieve
• put it in the Instant Pot with 250ml cup of water (or stock if you want) - make sure it's submerged
• pressure cook on High for 18 minutes, natural release 10 mins, then vent, remove from pot and fluff up with fork (it overcooks if you leave it in the pot)

Perfect every time, so far. I found the ratio here and I think they do one for white rice too (brown takes longer to cook).

The problem with soaking for a few hours or overnight is that unless I'm feeling extra specially organised I'm going to want my rice at shorter notice than that!

as other PPs have just stated, cook=bring to boil, lower heat (move to a cooler part of stove top), simmer for about 10mins, leave to cool for at least 5mins, do not remove lid.

When it works, it really, really works.

What's a rice cooker?

PS I wanted a rice cooker really badly but that's a lot of countertop/cupboard space unless you have it at least once a day. I use the IP for all sorts of other things too - basically an extra hob - so it's justified.