Microwaving Rice: The Quick, Easy, And Tasty Way

Cooking rice in the microwave is a quick and easy way to get perfect rice every time. It's also a good option if you don't have a rice cooker at home and you don't want to cook on the stove. Here's a simple guide on how to cook rice in a microwave rice steamer:

Ingredients:

- Rice (long-grain, medium-grain, or short-grain white rice)

- Water

- Microwave-safe bowl with a lid

- Dish towel

Steps:

1. Prep your rice: Measure out your rice, rinse once under running water, then drain. Add the rice to the microwavable bowl and add the appropriate amount of water. Make sure the surface of the rice is level.

2. Microwave on high, uncovered: Place your uncovered bowl into the microwave and set the timer for ten minutes on the highest power.

3. Microwave on medium, covered: After ten minutes, open the microwave and check on your rice. The water should now have evaporated a bit, and the rice should be just about even with the water level. If needed, adjust the water level. Cover your bowl with a dish towel and microwave for an additional 15 minutes on medium-level power.

4. Rest, covered: After microwaving, leave your bowl to rest undisturbed in the microwave for five minutes. This allows the grains to absorb the steam and plump.

5. Fluff and serve: Remove the bowl of rice from the microwave carefully as it will be hot. Fluff the rice to ensure it's evenly cooked and serve immediately.

Tips:

- Water to Rice Ratios: The ratio between rice and water is crucial for cooking rice evenly. For long-grain white rice, use a ratio of 2 cups of rice to 3 cups of water. For medium-grain white rice, use 2 cups of rice to 2 ⅔ cups of water. And for short-grain white rice, use 2 cups of rice to 2 ½ cups of water.

- Hard Rice: If your rice grains are too hard, it means there isn't enough water. You can fix this by adding about one tablespoon of water and microwaving for two-minute intervals until the rice is fully cooked.

- Soft Rice: If your rice is too soft, you've used too much water. Typically, it's hard to fix over-watered rice, and it's best to use it for other recipes like porridge or rice pudding.

- Cooking Time: It takes about 30 minutes to cook rice in the microwave.

- Serving Size: The appropriate rice serving per person is about ½ cup of uncooked rice, which is closer to one cup when cooked.

Now you know how to cook rice in a microwave rice steamer! Enjoy your perfectly cooked rice.

Rice to water ratio

The rice to water ratio is dependent on the type of rice being cooked, the cooking method, and the number of servings. Here is a breakdown of the rice to water ratio for different types of rice:

Stovetop Method:

• For long-grain white rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water.
• For short-grain white rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water.
• For sushi rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water.
• For brown rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water.
• For jasmine rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1.25 cups of water.
• For basmati rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water.

Oven Method:

• For long-grain white rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water.
• For short-grain white rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water.
• For sushi rice, the ratio is not recommended.
• For brown rice, the ratio is not recommended.
• For jasmine rice, the ratio is not recommended.
• For basmati rice, the ratio is not recommended.

Microwave Method:

• For long-grain white rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water.
• For short-grain white rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water.
• For sushi rice, the ratio is 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of water.
• For brown rice, the ratio is not recommended.
• For jasmine rice, the ratio is not recommended.
• For basmati rice, the ratio is not recommended.

How to cook rice on the stove

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of rice (no rinsing!)
• 1.5 cups of water

Method:

• Place the rice and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. No lid is needed for this step.
• Once the water is bubbling gently, turn the heat down to low and cover the saucepan with a lid.
• Cook the rice for 13 minutes. Do not stir or remove the lid during this step.
• After 13 minutes, the water should be fully absorbed. Remove the saucepan from the stove, keeping the lid on, and leave to stand for 10 minutes.
• Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a rice paddle, rubber spatula, or fork. Enjoy your perfectly cooked rice!

Tips:

• This method works for short, medium, and long-grain white rice.
• Do not rinse the rice unless you are concerned about its cleanliness (e.g., if it was purchased from a street market). Rinsing the rice will make it fluffier, but you will need to reduce the water by 2 tablespoons per cup of rice to avoid making the rice overly soft and mushy.
• For best results, use a saucepan that is about four to five times the height of the water level. This will prevent the rice from boiling over.
• Do not lift the lid or stir the rice while it is cooking, as this will cause the rice to become gluey and unevenly cooked.
• Do not skip the 10-minute resting period after cooking. This allows the rice to finish cooking and absorb any remaining water.
• To reheat leftover rice, sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of water per cup of rice, cover, and microwave for 1 minute.

How to cook rice in the oven

Ingredients

• 1 cup of rice (short, medium or long grain, uncooked)
• 1.5 cups of water

Method

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan forced).
• Place the rice and water in a small casserole with a lid (or use a pan and foil).
• Cover with the lid and bake for 35 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and leave to stand for 10 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork and serve.

How to cook rice in the microwave

Cooking rice in the microwave is a convenient, quick, and easy way to prepare rice. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

Start by gathering your ingredients and kitchenware. You will need:

• A microwave-safe bowl with a lid (a big bowl, Pyrex, CorningWare, or a plastic microwave-safe pot)
• Rice (jasmine, basmati, regular long grain, or short grain)

Rinse the rice with cool water and swish it around to wash it. Drain the water, making sure the rice stays in the pot. Repeat this process three more times. The water will become less cloudy each time, but it will never be completely clear as rice is a starch.

Step 2: Add Water and Microwave

For every 1 1/2 cups of rice, add 2 1/4 cups of water. Put the lid on the bowl, ensuring it has air vents to allow steam to escape. If your lid does not have vents, simply lay it on top of the bowl without snapping it in place. You can also place a dishtowel under the bowl to catch any spillage.

Microwave the rice on high for 5 minutes, then microwave for another 15 minutes at 50% power.

Step 3: Let the Rice Rest

After microwaving, let the rice rest, still covered, for about 5 minutes. Do not remove the lid or peek inside! This step is crucial as it allows the rice to finish cooking and absorb any remaining water.

Tips:

• The secret to microwaving rice is to add the right amount of water. Too much water will result in soggy rice, while too little water will lead to dry rice. The ideal ratio is 1 1/2 cups of raw rice to 2 1/4 cups of water.
• Brown rice and wild rice have different cooking methods and may require adjustments to the above procedure.
• The cooking time may vary depending on the power of your microwave. If your microwave has a lower wattage, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly. Conversely, if you have a higher wattage microwave, reduce the cooking time accordingly.

How to reheat rice

Leftover rice is a great time-saver for busy people. It can be frozen and reheated whenever you need a quick meal. However, reheated rice can sometimes turn out dry and unappetizing. Here are some tips and tricks for reheating rice so that it's fluffy and tasty.

Storing Leftover Rice

Leftover rice should be cooled down and placed in the fridge within an hour of cooking. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to four days or frozen for up to two months.

Reheating Rice in the Microwave

The microwave is the quickest and most convenient way to reheat rice. Here's how to do it:

• Place the rice in a microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of water (about 1 tablespoon per cup of rice).
• Use a fork to break up any clumps of rice.
• Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel or lid.
• Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes per serving, stirring occasionally.

Reheating Rice on the Stove

Reheating rice on the stove takes a little longer but gives you more control over the process. Here's how to do it:

• Place the rice in a saucepan and add a splash of water and a pat of butter or a splash of oil.
• Use a fork to break up any clumps of rice.
• Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid.
• Heat the rice over low heat for 3-5 minutes per serving, stirring occasionally.

Reheating Rice in the Oven

Reheating rice in the oven is a good option if you're reheating a large amount of rice. Here's how to do it:

• Place the rice in an oven-safe dish and add a splash of water or broth (about 1-2 tablespoons per cup of rice).
• Add a splash of oil or broth and stir to combine.
• Cover the dish with a tight-fitting lid or aluminium foil.
• Bake at 300°F (148°C) for 20 minutes, or until heated through.

Stir-Frying Rice

Stir-frying rice is a great option if you want to add extra ingredients like egg, meat or vegetables. Here's how to do it:

• Heat a tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
• Add the rice and break up any clumps with a fork.
• Cook the rice, uncovered, for about 3 minutes, or until heated through.
• Add your desired ingredients and cook until done.

Frequently asked questions