Cooking Rice Select's Royal Blend: A Step-By-Step Guide

RiceSelect's Royal Blend Rice is a mix of Texmati white rice, brown rice, wild rice, and Thai red rice. The cooking instructions vary depending on whether you are cooking the traditional Royal Blend Rice or the Whole Grain Royal Blend Rice. For the traditional blend, the ideal water-to-rice ratio is 1 1/2:1, whereas for the whole grain blend, it is 2 1/2:1. Both blends are cooked by bringing water to a boil, adding salt and butter/oil if desired, stirring in the rice blend, covering, and reducing the heat to low. However, the cooking time differs, with the traditional blend simmering for 15 minutes and the whole grain blend simmering for 45 minutes or until the water is absorbed.

Water-to-rice ratio: 1 1/2:1 for traditional rice, 2 1/2:1 for whole grain blends

Cooking Royal Blend Rice

The ideal water-to-rice ratio for RiceSelect Royal Blend Rice is 1 1/2:1 for traditional rice and 2 1/2:1 for whole grain blends.

Cooking Instructions:

• Bring water to a boil. Add salt and butter or olive oil, if desired.
• Stir in rice blend.
• Cover with lid; reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes for traditional rice or 45 minutes for whole grain blends.
• Remove from heat and let stand (covered) 5 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork and serve.

Add salt and butter/oil for flavour

To cook Rice Select Royal Blend Rice, you can add salt and butter or olive oil for flavour. The specific measurements are 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of butter or olive oil. You can add these ingredients after bringing the water to a boil and before stirring in the rice blend. Adding salt to the rice while it cooks gives it a more seasoned taste, and the butter or oil adds a richness to the flavour.

The type of salt you use is also important. Iodized table salt is a common choice, but sea salt or kosher salt can add a different flavour profile. For example, sea salt can bring a briny taste, and kosher salt is great for a more subtle saltiness. As for the butter, unsalted butter will let the natural flavour of the rice shine through, but you could also use salted butter for a more intense taste. If you opt for olive oil, a good extra virgin olive oil will add a fruity, fresh flavour to the rice.

You can also adjust the measurements to your taste. If you prefer a more subtle flavour, you can reduce the amount of salt and butter/oil, or you can increase the amount for a more pronounced taste. Just be mindful that too much salt can overpower the natural flavour of the rice, and too much butter or oil can make the rice greasy.

Additionally, you can experiment with different types of salt and butter/oil to find the combination that suits your palate. This way, you can create a unique flavour profile for your Royal Blend Rice that is truly yours.

Stir, cover, and simmer

Once you've brought the water to a boil and added salt and butter/oil, if desired, it's time to stir in the rice blend. Use a wooden spoon or a spatula to gently stir the rice into the boiling water. Make sure to stir thoroughly, ensuring that all the rice grains are well-coated in the water and that none are sticking to the bottom of the pan.

After stirring, it's important to cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. This helps to trap the steam and create a consistent cooking environment for the rice. If you don't have a lid that fits your saucepan, you can use a sheet of foil to cover the pan securely.

Finally, reduce the heat to low and allow the rice to simmer. Simmering is a gentle form of cooking that occurs at a relatively low temperature, just above the boiling point of water (100°C or 212°F). This gentle heat allows the rice to cook slowly and evenly, absorbing the water and becoming tender without overcooking or burning. The ideal simmer is when the liquid is just bubbling, with small, slow-breaking waves.

Cooking time: 15 minutes on stovetop, 15-20 minutes in the microwave

Cooking RiceSelect Royal Blend Rice

The cooking time for RiceSelect Royal Blend Rice is 15 minutes on a stovetop and 15-20 minutes in the microwave. The blend includes Texmati white rice, brown rice, wild rice, and Thai red rice. The rice-to-water ratio is 1 1/2:1, meaning 1 1/2 cups of water for each cup of rice.

Stovetop Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients in a 3-quart saucepan.
• Bring to a boil and stir once.
• Cover with a tight-fitting lid or foil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
• Stir before serving.

Microwave Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients in a 2-3 quart microwavable dish.
• Cover and microwave on high for 5 minutes.
• Reduce to 50% power and cook for 15 minutes.
• Remove from the microwave and let stand for 5-10 minutes.
• Stir before serving.

Flavor Tip:

Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of butter or olive oil for extra flavor.

Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork

Once your RiceSelect Royal Blend Rice has been simmering on low heat for 45 minutes and all the water has been absorbed, it's time to remove it from the heat. At this point, the rice will have a sophisticated texture and an enchanting aroma. But before you serve it, it's important to let it stand, still covered, for a few minutes. This step is crucial to achieving the perfect consistency and flavour.

During this 5-minute resting period, the rice continues to absorb moisture and relax, ensuring that it is tender and fluffy. Leaving the lid on traps the steam inside, creating a gentle, moist environment that helps the rice finish cooking evenly. This is especially important if you are using a rice cooker or a pot with a tight-fitting lid, as it prevents the rice from overcooking or drying out.

After 5 minutes, uncover the rice and use a fork to gently fluff it. Fluffing the rice simply means to separate and lift the grains gently with a fork. This step is important because it releases the built-up steam and prevents the rice from becoming sticky or mushy. It also helps to distribute any remaining moisture evenly, ensuring that each grain is perfectly cooked.

The fluffing process is simple but essential to achieving the ideal texture. By gently lifting and turning the rice with a fork, you can ensure that the grains remain separate and do not clump together. This step adds air and volume to the rice, giving it a light and fluffy consistency. It also enhances the visual appeal of the dish, making it look even more tempting to dig into.

So, by following these simple steps of letting the rice stand for 5 minutes and then fluffing it with a fork, you can ensure that your RiceSelect Royal Blend Rice turns out perfectly every time. These final touches make all the difference in taking your rice from ordinary to extraordinary, whether you're serving it as a side dish, a bed for curries or stir-fries, or as an ingredient in a heartwarming soup or casserole.

Frequently asked questions