How to cook rice on the stove?

How do you cook rice? We’ll show you how to do it!

Too much water, too little rice, too mushy, too grainy: a lot can go wrong when cooking rice. How to cook rice on the stove And what is the proper relationship between rice and water?

Whether in sushi, as a pilaf, paella, risotto, or a simple side dish – rice is indispensable for most kitchens worldwide. In most Asian countries, rice is the number one staple food. The Japanese word for rice, “Gohan,” means “rice” as well as simply “food.”

And while everyone is talking about rice, making it can be tricky. How to cook rice on stove Because let’s be honest: Nobody likes overcooked, sticky, or even hard, undercooked rice.

For the perfect rice to land on the plate, the cooking time depends heavily on the type of rice. Brown rice, whole grain rice, or brown rice usually require more time than lighter rice varieties such as basmati, jasmine rice, or long-grain rice.

A small overview of the cooking times of our favorite rice varieties:

Basmati rice: 15 minutes

Jasmine rice: 20 minutes

Long grain rice: 20 minutes

Brown rice: 30 minutes

Wild rice: Up to 45 minutes

In the meantime, we also have a few options when it comes to the preparation method. Electric rice cookers make preparation more straightforward, but they are pretty expensive. Cooking bags are almost always made of plastic, which can cause plastics to loosen at high temperatures and get into the food. How to cook rice on stove Pre-cooked rice for the microwave is also sold in plastic bags – and this variant is not tasty and “with a bite” either.

So we prepare our favorite rice in a saucepan! And since our famous sauces, “Vegetable Curry” and “Dal Masala,” are unbeatably delicious together with rice, and we don’t want to withhold this combination from you under any circumstances, we will tell you the easiest way to cook your rice – easy and stress-free.

There are two ways to prepare rice in a saucepan: the water method and the soaking method. Using the example of “basmati rice,” we explain how you can do it perfectly every time. 🙂

Cooking rice using the water method: How to cook rice on stove

For those who have already cooked pasta, the water method will not be a problem either. The principle is the same: the rice is boiled in a large amount of water and then collected with a sieve.

That’s how it’s done: How to cook rice on stove

First, put the dry rice in a sieve and carefully wash it twice. How to cook rice on stove This removes the excess starch on the rice grain. This ensures that the individual grains of rice do not stick to each other. However, if you want to prepare sushi rice, risotto, or rice pudding, you can, of course, save the washing.

Put the washed rice in a saucepan with a large amount of water. Salt a little if necessary.

Turn the stovetop on until the water comes to a boil.

Turn the stove down to medium heat and let the rice simmer for about 15 minutes (for basmati rice) without a lid.

Then drain the rice.

Pro of this method:

Simple. Like cooking pasta.

The rice cannot burn on the bottom of the pot.

Cons of this method: How to cook rice on stove

The nutrients release into the water. Unfortunately. This also means that all the nutrients you down the drain.

Cooking rice using the swelling method How to cook rice on stove

With the swelling method. Only as much water adds as the rice can absorb. Usually. The ratio is around 1: 2. So add two cups of water to one cup of rice. How to cook rice on stove But as with the cooking time, the amount of water varies depending on the type of rice.

That’s how it’s done:

Wash the rice twice to remove the excess starch.

Put the rice in a saucepan and add twice the amount of water. Add 1-2 teaspoons of salt.

Bring the water to a boil at the highest level.

As soon as the water boils, set the hob to medium heat. Put a lid or a folded kitchen towel on the pot and let the rice simmer for about 15 minutes.

Carefully stir the rice over and over again to avoid burning it on the bottom of the pot.

As soon as the rice has soaked up the water, take it out of the pot and serve. Tip: If it is not quite cooked. Add some water and let it simmer.

The rice/water ratio of our favorite rice varieties:

Basmati: 1: 2

Jasmine: 1: 1.5

Long grain: 1: 2

Brown rice: 1: 2

Wild rice: 1: 2.5

Pro of this method:

Also easy to perform.

As the nutrients release into the water. Vitamins and minerals stay in the rice.

Cons of this method:

The rice can burn on the bottom of the pot. So watch out and stir again and again!

With these two methods, you will succeed in making your favorite rice 100%! Have fun cooking and enjoying – ideally, of course, with our famous sauces “Dal Masala” and “Vegetable Curry” 😉

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