Cooking Blended Rice: A Simple Guide To Deliciousness

Blended rice is a great way to add texture and flavour to your meal. While it is not a common practice to blend different types of rice, it can be a great way to elevate your dish. The key to blending rice is to combine different attributes of each type of rice to make a perfect mix. For example, blending coarse ground Sona Masoori rice with basmati rice can add volume, body and fragrance to your dish. When blending rice, it is important to note the cooking times and textures of each type of rice. For instance, blending whole Ponni and basmati rice is not ideal as their textures do not match up.

How to cook blended rice in an Instant Pot

Ingredients

• 1 cup of blended rice
• 1 cup of water
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of cooking oil (olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil)

Method

• Rinse the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear.
• Add the oil to the Instant Pot along with the rinsed rice (still damp), water, and salt.
• Lock the lid and set the steam valve to its "sealing" position.
• Select the "RICE" button (if cooking white rice) or follow the cooking chart below. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes and then release any remaining pressure.
• Fluff rice with a fork and serve.

Cooking Times

• White Rice: 4-8 minutes
• Brown Rice: 22-24 minutes
• Jasmine Rice: 4-8 minutes
• Basmati Rice: 4-8 minutes
• Wild Rice: 25-30 minutes

How to cook blended rice on the stove

The methods outlined below are for cooking short, medium, or long-grain white rice, such as jasmine or basmati. They will not work for brown rice.

Step 1: Rinse the rice

Rinsing the rice is an important step as it washes away excess starch that will cause the rice to clump together. Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cool running water until the water runs clear.

Step 2: Measure the water and rice

The basic water-to-white-rice ratio is 2 cups of water to 1 cup of rice. You can easily double or even triple the recipe, but make sure you are using a pot large enough to hold the rice as it cooks and expands.

Step 3: Boil the water and add the rice

Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of butter or oil, if using, and allow the butter to melt. When the water has returned to a boil, stir in the rice.

Step 4: Simmer the rice

Let the water return to a light simmer. Stir the rice again, cover the pot, and turn the heat down to low. Keep the rice at a gentle simmer, with the pot covered. Do not stir the rice or remove the lid, as this will release steam and affect the cooking process.

Step 5: Check if the rice is tender

Start checking the rice after about 15 minutes of simmering. It may take up to 25 minutes, especially if you are cooking a larger quantity. The rice is ready when it is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.

Step 6: Remove from heat and let it rest

When the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it sit for a couple of minutes to finish absorbing any remaining liquid.

Step 7: Fluff the rice

Take off the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Let it sit for another 2 minutes or so to allow any excess moisture to dry off.

Tips for perfect rice:

• Do not lift the lid or stir the rice while it is cooking, as this will affect the cooking process and can lead to gummy rice.
• Do not skip the resting step, as this allows the rice to finish cooking and absorb any residual water.
• Make sure to use a pot that is large enough for the amount of rice you are cooking. Using a pot that is too large or too small can affect the cooking process.
• If you are using a rice cooker, skip the olive oil.

How to cook blended rice in the oven

Ingredients

• 1 cup of long-grain white rice
• 1 3/4 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt

Method

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (350°F for a convection oven).
• Add butter and salt to boiling water in an oven-safe pan and stir well.
• Mix in the rice.
• Cover the pan tightly with a piece of aluminium foil.
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender but not mushy, and all the liquid has been absorbed.
• Fluff the rice with a fork to release the steam and serve.

Tips

• For brown rice, increase the water to 2 cups and the cooking time to about 1 hour.
• You can use broth instead of water to add extra flavour.
• Avoid the temptation to lift the foil and check on the rice while it's cooking, as this will release steam and affect the cooking process.

How to cook blended rice in the microwave

Ingredients:

• Blended rice (e.g., jasmine, basmati, regular long grain, short grain, or sushi rice)
• Microwave-safe bowl with a lid (e.g., Pyrex, CorningWare, or plastic microwave-safe pot)
• Water
• Optional: Salt, butter, or oil for taste

Method:

• Rinse the rice with cold water using a strainer to remove excess starch. The water should run clear.
• Add the rice to a microwave-safe bowl.
• Measure the water. The general rule is to use a 2:1 ratio of water to rice. Another method is to use the knuckle test: place your finger on top of the rice and add water until it reaches your first knuckle.
• Add a dash of salt, butter, or oil (optional).
• Place the bowl in the microwave. If your bowl doesn't have a lid, cover it with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe lid.
• Microwave on high for 9-12 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your microwave's wattage.
• Check the rice. If there is still water in the bowl, continue cooking for a few more minutes.
• Once the water has been absorbed, let the rice rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes. This allows the rice to finish cooking and results in fluffier rice.
• Fluff the rice with a fork and enjoy!

How to cook blended rice in a rice cooker

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

Use a measuring cup to measure out your desired amount of rice and place it into the bowl of your rice cooker. If your rice cooker didn't come with a measuring cup, a standard measuring cup will do.

Step 2: Rinse the Rice

Rinsing the rice is an important step as it helps to remove any pesticides, herbicides, or contaminants. It also washes away excess starch, which can make your rice clump together. Place the rice in a bowl and fill it with water. Stir the rice, drain the water, and repeat this process until the water runs clear.

Step 3: Measure and Add Water

The water-to-rice ratio will depend on the type of rice you are using. As a general rule, use 1 3/4 cups of water for every cup of long-grain white rice, 1 1/2 cups for medium-grain, and 1 1/4 cups for short-grain. If you are using brown, long-grain rice, the ratio is 2 1/4 cups of water per cup of rice.

Step 4: Add Flavorings (Optional)

If desired, you can add flavorings to your rice. A little bit of salt is a common addition, but you can also add butter or oil for extra flavour.

Step 5: Push Rice Grains Under the Water

Use a wooden or plastic utensil to push any rice grains that are sticking to the sides of the pot back into the water. Rice left above the water may burn during cooking.

Step 6: Cook the Rice

Place the pot of rice and water back into the rice cooker, close the lid, and turn it on. Most rice cookers will automatically turn off when the rice is done, but some may have different settings for brown or white rice, so be sure to consult your manual.

Step 7: Let the Rice Rest

Once the rice cooker has turned off, let the rice rest for 10-15 minutes before removing the lid. This step is optional but helps to reduce the chance of rice sticking to the pot.

Step 8: Fluff and Serve

After the rice has rested, use a fork or utensil to fluff the rice and break up any clumps. Your rice is now ready to be served!

Frequently asked questions