Brown Rice, Perfectly Steamed: Using Your Rice Cooker

Steamed brown rice is a healthy and delicious option for a busy weeknight dinner. It can be tricky to get the timing right, but with a rice cooker, you can achieve perfect, fluffy brown rice with minimal effort. Here's a simple guide to help you get started. First, it's important to note the type of brown rice you're using, as the cooking time and water ratio can vary between long-grain and short-grain varieties. For long-grain brown rice, use a ratio of one cup of rice to ten fluid ounces of water. For short-grain brown rice, the ratio is slightly different: one cup of rice to 10.6 fluid ounces of water. Next, rinse the rice in a strainer under cold running water to remove any excess starch. Drain the water and add the rice to your rice cooker, along with the measured water. Give it a gentle swirl to ensure all the grains are level and not sticking to the sides. Close the lid and press start on your rice cooker. It's important to resist the temptation to lift the lid during the cooking process, as this can affect the texture and doneness of your rice. Depending on your rice cooker, the cooking time will vary, but for perfectly cooked brown rice, expect it to take around 45 minutes to an hour. Once your rice cooker indicates that it's ready, let the rice rest for an additional five minutes with the lid closed. Finally, open the lid and use a rice paddle to fluff up your perfectly cooked brown rice!

Rinse the rice

Rinsing the rice is an essential step in the process of making steamed brown rice. It ensures that the rice is free of excess starch, which can cause clumping and a gummy texture during cooking. Here is a detailed guide on how to rinse the rice properly:

Firstly, place the desired amount of brown rice in a bowl or a fine mesh strainer. It is recommended to use a strainer with small holes to ensure the rice grains do not escape during rinsing. Fill the bowl or strainer with cold running water and gently swirl the rice with your hand or a spoon. You will notice that the water becomes cloudy as the starch is released from the rice. Drain this cloudy water and repeat the process of rinsing and draining until the water runs clear. This may take a few rinses, but it is important to be thorough.

Once the rice is thoroughly rinsed, make sure to drain it well and remove any excess water. You can do this by gently shaking the strainer or allowing the rice to sit in the strainer for a few minutes. It is important that the rice is as dry as possible before adding it to the rice cooker, as any remaining water may affect the cooking process and the final texture of the rice.

Some people prefer to soak their brown rice before cooking, especially when using the stovetop method. However, when using a rice cooker, it is generally not necessary to soak the rice beforehand. Simply rinsing the rice will suffice.

By taking the time to properly rinse the rice, you will help ensure that your steamed brown rice turns out fluffy and separate, rather than sticky and clumpy. This step may seem simple, but it is crucial to achieving the desired texture and ensuring the rice cooks evenly.

Now that your rice is rinsed and ready, you can proceed to the next step of measuring the appropriate water-to-rice ratio and adding the ingredients to your rice cooker.

Use the correct water to rice ratio

The water to rice ratio is an important factor in determining the quality of the cooked brown rice. Using the correct ratio will ensure that the rice is cooked evenly and has the desired texture. Here are the recommended ratios and methods for different types of brown rice:

Short-Grain Brown Rice

For short-grain brown rice, the recommended ratio is 1 cup of rice to 10 fluid ounces of water. This type of rice is slightly stickier, so it is best to use the baking method. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the rice. Reduce the heat and let the rice simmer until it is just cooked, usually around 30 minutes. Then, drain the rice and return it to the pot. Cover the pot and let the rice rest for about 10 minutes to absorb the excess water.

Long-Grain Brown Rice

The ratio for long-grain brown rice is the same as for short-grain: 1 cup of rice to 10 fluid ounces of water. However, the cooking method is different. For long-grain rice, it is recommended to use the boil-and-drain method. Add the rice to a pot of boiling water and cook for about 30 minutes. Drain the rice and return it to the pot. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes to absorb the excess water.

Medium-Grain Brown Rice

The ratio for medium-grain brown rice is slightly different from the other types. The recommended ratio is 1 cup of rice to 8 cups of water. The cooking method is similar to the long-grain rice method. Use the boil-and-drain method by adding the rice to boiling water and cooking for about 30 minutes. Drain the rice and return it to the pot. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Brown Basmati Rice

Brown basmati rice has a unique ratio and cooking method. The ratio is 1 cup of rice to 6 cups of water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the rice. Maintain a steady boil and cook the rice uncovered for 30 minutes. Drain the rice and return it to the pot. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.

General Tips

• It is important to rinse the rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent the rice from becoming gummy.
• The cooking times may vary depending on the brand of rice, so it is recommended to check the rice early to prevent overcooking.
• When draining the rice, make sure to shake off excess water and remove all water from the pot to prevent the rice from becoming soggy.
• After cooking, let the rice rest in the covered pot for 10 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb the excess moisture and results in plump and fluffy grains.

Cook the rice

Firstly, you'll want to rinse the rice. This is an essential step to remove excess starch from the rice – if you skip it, your rice may end up clumpy and gummy. Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under running water until the water runs clear.

Next, measure out your rice and water. The ideal ratio is 2 cups of water for every cup of rice. If you're cooking long-grain or basmati brown rice, you can use the 'boil and drain' method, which is similar to cooking pasta. Bring a large pot of water to the boil (you'll need at least 6 cups of water per cup of rice) and add the rice. Maintain a steady boil, and cook the rice uncovered for around 30 minutes.

If you're cooking short-grain brown rice, it's better to use the baking method. Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F and combine the rice with boiling water in a square pan or round casserole dish. Cover the dish and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

For both methods, once the rice is cooked, drain the water and return the rice to the pot. Cover the pot and let the rice rest for around 10 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb the excess water and become perfectly fluffy. Finally, use a fork to fluff the rice, and it's ready to serve!

Let the rice rest

Once the rice is cooked, it is important to let it rest. This is a critical step in the cooking process, as it allows the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and finish cooking with the residual heat. This will ensure that the rice is fluffy and not soggy.

After turning off the heat, let the rice sit, covered, for about 10 minutes. During this time, the rice will steam, and this will give it that extra fluffy texture.

If you are cooking brown rice in a rice cooker, the resting phase is especially important. The "wet" rice will absorb the remaining water during this time, resulting in perfect rice grains.

Finally, after the resting period, gently fluff the rice with a fork. This will help any trapped steam to escape, which will stop the cooking process and ensure that the rice doesn't become overcooked.

Fluff the rice with a fork

Once your rice is cooked, it's time to fluff it with a fork. This is an important step in achieving the perfect texture and ensuring your rice isn't too clumpy.

First, use a fork to gently lift and separate the rice grains. Start from the edges of the pot and work your way towards the centre, taking care not to mash the rice. You want to be gentle and avoid applying too much pressure, as this can crush the delicate grains.

Next, tilt the pot slightly and use your fork to create layers in the rice. This will help the rice cool down evenly and prevent it from continuing to cook. It also helps to distribute any remaining moisture, ensuring that your rice doesn't become soggy.

If you're using a rice cooker, simply use a rice paddle or a fork to fluff the rice gently. This will give you nice, plump grains.

Finally, if you're planning to freeze your rice for later use, it's best to fluff it with a fork before freezing. This will help the grains stay separate and make it easier to portion out the rice when you're ready to use it.

Frequently asked questions