How to cook rice perfectly without a rice cooker includes three ways to cook rice. In the microwave, on the stovetop and in the oven. Rice is a favorite side dish in a lot of cultures. It's easy to make and can be paired with almost any stew or sauce. If you have been in search of the perfect white rice recipe, this is it. With this post you can learn how to cook fluffy rice perfectly and without a rice cooker in 30 mins or less.
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Table of Contents
- 1 How to cook rice
- 2 How to cook rice on the stove top
- 3 How to cook white rice in the microwave.
- 4 How to cook rice in the oven
- 5 Do I need to wash rice before cooking?
- 6 How to rinse/wash rice before cooking
- 7 How to rinse rice without a colander / sieve
- 8 How to flavor rice
- 9 What to serve with Rice
- 10 How to cook white rice without a rice cooker
- 11 ★ Did you make this recipe? Awesome! Please rate it by clicking the stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ below!
How to cook rice
Rice is a favorite side dish everyone should learn how to make. It's easy and quick and you don't need to use a rice cooker.
Perfect fluffy Rice can be made in the microwave, on the stove top or in the oven. You just need to know the right water to rice ratio to get it perfect all the time.
Just like oven cooked Jollof rice, it is important to note that rice is cooked by steam and not by the amount of water added.
How to cook rice on the stove top
The is by far the most common way people cook white rice like the other two methods it's easy to make. Wash rice till water runs clear (it's not likely to run clear completely but clear enough is fine)
How to cook white rice in the microwave.
This is my preferred method these days because if it's hands free attribute. Pop the rice into the microwave and walk away.
The only down side to it is that you can't make a very large quantity in the microwave. The max I have made using the microwave is 3 cups which in all fairness is about 8-10 servings
To cook rice in the microwave, you need a microwave safe bowl with a microwave splash guard that has some vents. Alternatively this microwave rice cooker is a great addition to your favorite kitchen equipment because it can also be used to steam vegetables in the microwave.
Related Recipes:
- How to cook Jollof rice in the microwave
How to cook rice in the oven
Though the only way I Cook Jollof rice these days is in the oven, it's surprising that the oven method is my least used cooking route when cooking white rice.
Do I need to wash rice before cooking?
To wash rice or not to wash rice will always be a debate. Just like to precook rice or not to precook rice when making Jollof rice.
I am for washing the rice thoroughly before cooking and for not parboiling rice before making Jollof rice because that's what works perfectly for me. Therefore that's what I preach.
How to rinse/wash rice before cooking
- To rinse or wash rice before cooking, measure raw rice into a bowl at least twice the size of the dry rice.
- Put bowl in a sink under running water and rinse continuously. While you sieve out the excess water on top by using a colander or bending the bowl slightly to the side while keeping your hands at the edge to catch the rice.
- Repeat process till water runs clear.
How to rinse rice without a colander / sieve
You definitely don't need a colander or sieve to rinse rice. You can scoop it out with your cupped hand into a second bowl. When the rice left in the bowl is too small, decant water on top and scoop out the rest of the rice.
This may not be as effective as a colander but works perfectly.
How to store cooked rice. How long can it last in the fridge?
Cooked Rice can last up 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
To warm up / reheat cold rice, sprinkle about a teaspoon of water per cup of rice and microwave on high power for a minute or a minute and half depending on quantity of rice being reheated. The little sprinkle of water helps build up steam which warms up the rice evenly.
How to flavor rice
You can add flavor to white rice while cooking by adding the following
- Butter
- Salt
- Onions
- Beef/Chicken Broth
- Vegetable Broth
What to serve with Rice
White rice has a neutral taste which makes it possible to serve it with a lot of stews and soups.
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How to cook white rice without a rice cooker
Ingredients
Stove top Method
- 2 cups of rice (washed and drained)
- 3 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Microwave Method
- 2 cups of rice (washed and drained)
- 4 cups of hot water
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Oven Method
- 2 cups of rice (washed and drained)
- 2 ½ cup of hot water
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Stove top Method
- Put rice in a pot add 3 cups of water and salt stir and Turn on heat.
- Cover pot and allow to cook for 20-25 mins or until all water is absorbed ( just as you begin to hear some crackling sound )
- Turn off heat, move pot away from the stove top and let the rice rest in the unopened pot for 10 mins. This lets the steam finish off the cooking.
- Fluff rice with a fork and serve.
Microwave Method
- Put rice in a microwave safe bowl, add hot water and salt. Stir to combine
- Cover bowl with microwave safe cover
- Microwave on high for 25 mins let it rest for 5 mins before fluffing with a fork.
Oven Method.
- Preheat oven to 400 F
- Put rice in an oven safe bowl, add hot water and salt. Stir to combine.
- Cover tightly with foil, bake for 35 mins turn off oven.
- Bring out rice from oven. Let rice rest in the bowl for 10 mins with foil still on. After ten minutes, fluff with fork and serve
Notes
- Not all rice are created equal. I have only tried these methods with long grain parboiled rice and Basmati rice. I won't recommend this Method for rice that gets mushy quickly like sushi rice.
- I use less water to cook rice in the oven because there is no steam escape because of tightly covered foil inline in the case of the stove top or microwave method.
- Use microwave safe bowl for the microwave and oven safe dishes for the oven.
- If your oven safe dish has a tight fitting lid, you can use that instead of the foil.
Nutrition
Hollie Middleton
thank's for sharing informative article.