How to cook brown rice

Brown rice is a very healthy and convenient substitute for white rice and is usually recommended by dietitians and doctors world over. There are number of factors that make your plate of brown rice much more nutritious than white polished rice. This not only helps you avoid extra starch but is also rich in fiber and bran that support good digestion. Brown rice is actually unpolished rice, hence it’s recommended if you are on a weight loss diet. If not, even then you can consider it to include in your normal diet without increasing extra calories, that come as a pack and parcel of white rice. Not only this, brown rice also gives you an option of adding tasty twists to your curry dishes.

Complexity Level: Basic

Time required: 15-120 minutes (depending on the process)

Estimated cost: $2 per family serving


Resources required:

1. Brown rice (in a quantity that you need)

2. A medium-sized saucepan with lid

3. Water to cook brown rice

4. Measuring cups and spoons


Instructions:

1- Boil water first: Pour water in the pan. Make sure you have measured it according to the quantity of rice that you want to cook. Put it on the gas stove. Close the lid and wait till water starts boiling. You don’t have to keep it boiling. Just wait till first boil.

2- Add the brown rice: Now add brown rice to water. Do take care of quantity as unequal proportions of water and rice may lead to overcooking or undercooking.

3- Open the lid slightly: Don’t open the lid completely after adding rice to water. This would let steam escape. Also, don’t cover it completely as there are chance of water and rice getting spilled due to extra steam inside the pan. Keep the flame medium.

4- Check after a few minutes: Check whether rice is cooked after 6-8 minutes. If you see the rice grains fluffy and pointed, take out a grain, press it between your thumb and first finger. If the grain it tight you may need to cook it for 2-3 minutes more.


Frequently Asked Questions:

What’s the right method to cook brown rice in microwave?

Cooking rice in microwave doesn’t change the quantity measures of rice and water. However, you need to follow these steps:

1- Pour water in the bowl.

2- Add washed rice in the bowl.

3- Put the bowl in the microwave.

4- Set 20 minutes on the timer.

5- Take it out after 20 minute. Your rice is ready.

What to do if water seems less while cooking the rice?

Don’t panic! Firstly, it’s better to take care of proportions earlier. In case any such situation arises, boil a little water and add to the rice before it gets its first boil. Make sure you don’t keep the lid open.


Quick tips:

1: Soak the raw rice at least 10 minutes before cooking. This would help soften the grain. Avoid soaking it for too long, it may result in overcooked rice.

2: You can add extra taste to your rice by adding spices like chilies or cumin powder to the cooked rice. You can also add sautéed onions, garlic or veggies like mushrooms, broccoli, tomato etc as per your taste.

3: While cooking, you can add half a spoon butter to add an extra twist to the rice. It tastes great with curries.


Things to watch out for:

1: Pay extra attention to water and rice ratio. You will need two cups of water to cook one cup brown rice. It’s always better to measure water and rice before adding to in the cooking pan.

2: Don’t open the lid completely after adding the rice. Rice cooks best when it uses adequate steam, not less and not more. Keep the lid slightly open as this would also prevent rice from spilling out due to boil.

3: Avoid stirring the rice. It makes delicate rice grains stick to each other and too much stirring will actually cause the rice grain to break instead of giving you entire grain.

4: When you have put off the flame, keep the lid closed for a minute or two.

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