Cooking Sticky Rice: Using A Steamer For Perfect Results

Cooking sticky rice is not as straightforward as cooking regular rice. It is much less forgiving and requires a different technique. Sticky rice is steamed rather than boiled in water. This is because it cannot absorb much water and is not forgiving if you add even a bit too much.

To cook sticky rice in a rice steamer, you must first soak the rice in water for at least 3 hours or up to 24 hours. Then, drain the rice and place it in the rice steamer with water at the bottom. Turn on the steamer and let the rice cook for 20-45 minutes, depending on the amount of rice. Once the rice is done, turn off the steamer and let the rice sit for a few minutes before serving.

Soak the rice in water for at least 3 hours, preferably 4-6 hours, or even overnight

Soaking the rice is an essential step in preparing sticky rice. The rice should be placed in a mixing bowl or deep container and covered with water. The water level should be at least 3 inches above the rice, as it will expand during the soaking process. The ideal soaking time is between 6 to 24 hours. Soaking the rice for a longer period will result in softer, stickier rice. If you prefer a softer texture, you can even soak the rice overnight.

After the allotted soaking time, drain the water from the rice. There is no need to shake off the excess water. The rice should then be arranged evenly on a heat-proof plate or bamboo steamer lined with natural steamer liners or parchment paper. If you are using a heatproof plate, place it on an empty tuna can or metal rack at the base of a deep pot with a lid and fill it with a couple of inches of water. For larger batches of rice, it is recommended to steam in two batches or increase the steaming time.

It is important to keep the sticky rice covered or in the steamer until serving or using it in a recipe. This prevents the rice from drying out.

Wash the rice in room-temperature water several times to remove excess starch

To cook sticky rice in a rice steamer, you'll first need to wash the rice in room-temperature water several times to remove excess starch. This is a crucial step, as it ensures your rice will have a fluffy texture with separate grains, rather than a gummy or overly sticky texture. The process is simple but important:

Place the desired amount of rice in a mixing bowl or other deep container. Cover the rice with room-temperature water and use your hand to swish the rice around. You'll want to be vigorous with your swishing to help dislodge the starch. Pour off the cloudy water and repeat the process of adding water and swishing the rice. You'll need to do this several times—between three and four times—until the water runs mostly clear. It doesn't need to be crystal clear, but you want to ensure that the majority of the excess starch has been removed.

Once your rice is washed, you can move on to the next steps of cooking it in your rice steamer. This will vary depending on the type of rice steamer you have, but typically, you'll then drain the rice and add it to your rice cooker pot with fresh water. The water level should be about the same height as the rice. Cover the rice cooker and press the "cook" or "start" button. If your rice is a bit undercooked, simply sprinkle in a bit more water and turn the cooker back on. It's important not to add too much water, as this can lead to overly wet rice that's hard to salvage.

Drain the rice and place it in a heat-proof bowl or plate

After you've soaked your rice for the desired amount of time, it's important to drain it well. This is because sticky rice is very sensitive and can easily become mushy if it comes into contact with too much water. Once you've drained the rice, it's now time to prepare your steaming setup.

If using a traditional bamboo cone steamer, line the steaming basket with a damp cloth or cheesecloth. This will prevent the rice from sticking to the steamer. If you don't have a bamboo steamer, you can use a regular steamer rack lined with a damp cloth or cheesecloth, a metal sieve, or even a colander. For the latter two options, make sure they are placed inside a pot with a lid, ensuring that the water in the pot doesn't touch the colander or sieve.

Now, it's time to arrange the soaked rice on a heat-proof plate or bowl. If using a plate, it should be rimmed to prevent any rice from falling off during steaming. Place the rice in an even layer on the plate or bowl. If you're using a bamboo steamer or a metal sieve, you can simply spread the rice out in the steamer or sieve. However, if you're using a cloth-lined steamer rack or a colander, it's best to create a "donut hole" in the centre of the rice to ensure even cooking. This can be done by using your finger to make a hole in the middle of the rice.

Once your rice is arranged, you can proceed to the final step of steaming. Place the plate or bowl of rice in your steaming setup and steam for 20-45 minutes, depending on the amount of rice you're cooking. For smaller amounts (less than 2 cups), steam for 20-25 minutes. For larger batches, you may need up to 30-45 minutes. Remember to keep the sticky rice covered until you're ready to serve or use it in a recipe, as it dries out quickly.

Set up your steamer and bring the water to a boil

To set up your steamer and bring the water to a boil, you'll first want to line your steamer basket with a damp muslin or thin tea towel, or a clean kitchen towel if you're using a bamboo steamer. Make sure the cloth is wet so the rice won't stick to it. If you're using a traditional bamboo cone steamer, soak the steaming basket beforehand as well.

Next, fill the bottom of your steamer setup with 1 to 2 inches of water and place it on your stove. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a boil.

Steam the rice for 20-30 minutes, flipping it halfway through if cooking a large batch

Now that you've soaked your rice, it's time to steam it!

First, set up your steamer and bring the water to a boil. If you're using a cloth-lined steamer rack, make sure the cloth is wet so the rice won't stick to it. If you're using a bamboo cone steamer, soak the steaming basket beforehand.

Next, place the drained rice into your steamer. If you're using a bamboo cone steamer, you can make a hole in the centre of the rice with your finger to eliminate the "thick middle" that would take longer to cook. If you're cooking a large batch of rice, you might want to steam it in two batches or steam for longer.

Now, cover and steam the rice for 20-30 minutes, depending on the amount. If you're using a bamboo cone steamer, flip the rice halfway through. This ensures the rice cooks evenly and is especially important when steaming a large amount of rice.

Once the rice is tender but still chewy, it's ready! Remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly before serving.

Frequently asked questions