Cooking Riceselect Royal Blend: A Quick, Easy Guide

RiceSelect's Royal Blend is a premium rice product that combines Texmati white, brown, wild, and red rice. It offers an enchanting aroma and a sophisticated texture that distinguishes every bite, making it perfect for enhancing soups, stews, salads, and more. Cooking Royal Blend rice is a straightforward process that begins with bringing water to a boil and adding salt, butter, or olive oil according to taste. The rice blend is then stirred in, and the heat is reduced to low with the saucepan covered. The cooking time varies depending on the specific blend, with the Traditional Rice blend requiring 15 minutes of simmering and the Whole Grain Royal Blend needing 45 minutes until the water is absorbed. Once removed from the heat, the rice should be allowed to stand for about 5 minutes before serving.

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

When cooking RiceSelect Royal Blend® Traditional Rice, the ideal water-to-rice ratio is 1 1/2:1, meaning you will need 1 1/2 cups of water for each cup of rice. For flavour, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of butter or olive oil if you wish.

Begin by bringing the water to a boil. Add the salt and butter/oil, if you are using them. Next, stir in the rice blend, cover the saucepan with a lid, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the water has been absorbed.

For RiceSelect Royal Blend® Whole Grain, the water-to-rice ratio changes to 2 1/2:1, so you will need 2 1/2 cups of water for each cup of rice. As with the traditional rice, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of butter or olive oil for flavour, if desired.

Follow the same cooking method as the traditional rice: bring the water to a boil, add the salt and butter/oil if using, stir in the rice blend, cover and reduce the heat to low. However, the whole grain blend should be simmered for 45 minutes or until the water is absorbed.

Once the rice is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes. Then, fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

Add salt and butter/oil for flavour

To cook RiceSelect Royal Blend rice, you can add salt and butter or olive oil for flavour. The amount of salt and butter/oil added depends on your taste preferences and the serving size you are preparing. As a guide, for a single cup of rice, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of butter or olive oil.

Firstly, bring your water to a boil. You can also use chicken broth instead of water if you prefer. Then, add your desired amount of salt and butter or olive oil. Stir the mixture to ensure the ingredients are well combined and the butter has melted.

If you are using the microwave to cook your rice, you can add the rice blend directly after this step and continue with the cooking process. However, if you are cooking your rice on a stovetop, you will now add the rice blend, cover the saucepan, and reduce the heat to low.

The addition of salt and butter or oil not only enhances the flavour of the rice but also contributes to a more aromatic and enticing dish. The butter or oil can also help to create a more sophisticated texture, making each bite more distinct and enjoyable.

Simmering time: 15 mins for traditional rice, 45 mins for whole grain blends

The cooking time for RiceSelect Royal Blend Rice depends on the type of rice you are preparing. For traditional rice, the ideal water-to-rice ratio is 1 1/2:1, meaning 1 1/2 cups of water for each cup of rice. To cook traditional rice, first, bring the water to a boil, adding salt and butter or olive oil if desired. Next, stir in the rice blend, cover the saucepan, and reduce the heat to low. Let the rice simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Finally, remove the rice from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes.

For whole grain blends, the water-to-rice ratio is different. The recommended ratio is 2 1/2:1, or 2 1/2 cups of water for each cup of rice. As with traditional rice, bring the water to a boil first, adding salt and butter or olive oil if you like. Stir in the rice blend, cover, and reduce the heat to low. However, for whole grain blends, the simmering time is longer—around 45 minutes or until the water is absorbed. After simmering, remove the rice from the heat and let it stand for about 5 minutes.

You can also cook RiceSelect Royal Blend Rice in an Instant Pot or a microwave. When using an Instant Pot, combine the rice, water or broth, and salt in the pot. The cook time is only about 3 minutes, and the total time, including prep, is 8 minutes. If you prefer to use a microwave, combine all the ingredients in a microwavable dish and cover. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, then reduce to 50% power and cook for another 15 minutes. Remove the dish from the microwave and let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Microwave instructions: combine ingredients, cover and cook for 5 mins on high, then 15 mins at 50% power

When cooking RiceSelect Royal Blend Rice in the microwave, start by combining all the ingredients in a microwave-safe dish. The ideal water to rice ratio is 2 ½:1, meaning 2 ½ cups of water for each cup of rice. For flavour, you can add half a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of butter or olive oil.

Cover the dish and place it in the microwave on high for 5 minutes. After this initial blast of heat, reduce the power to 50% and cook for a further 15 minutes. The rice should now be tender, but if not, return it to the microwave and cook in additional 1-minute bursts until it reaches the desired texture.

Remove the dish from the microwave and let it stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Give it a quick stir, and it's ready to serve. These instructions are designed to be a general guideline, as microwave powers can vary.

After cooking, let stand for 5-10 minutes, then fluff with a fork

After your RiceSelect Royal Blend has been cooking for 15 minutes on the stove or 15 minutes in the microwave, it's time to remove it from the heat and let it stand. This step is crucial, as it allows the rice to rest and ensures that the water is fully absorbed, resulting in a more tender and flavourful grain. The standing time also helps to ensure that the rice doesn't become sticky or mushy when fluffed.

For the stove-top method, you should let the rice stand, covered, for about 5 minutes. If you're cooking your rice in the microwave, the standing time is a little longer, ranging from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave. During this time, the rice will continue to absorb the remaining moisture, ensuring a perfect consistency.

While the rice is standing, it's important not to lift the lid or disturb the rice bed. This will help to maintain an even temperature and moisture level throughout the dish, ensuring that the cooking process finishes effectively.

Once the standing time is complete, it's time to fluff the rice. Use a fork to gently separate the grains, releasing trapped steam and creating a light, fluffy texture. This step ensures that your rice is airy and delicate, rather than dense and clumpy. Proper fluffing also helps to distribute any added ingredients, like salt or butter, evenly throughout the dish.

Frequently asked questions