Tried and tested method on How to Cook Rice on the Stove Top. Any size pot may be used. No measuring cup needed. Comes out perfect each time!
Rice was traditionally cooked in a clay pot on a stove before the invention of the rice cooker. While most families seldom use measuring cups, there was actually a form of measurement on the amount of water required to cook the rice. It was a rudimentary method and one that is used to this day.
The First Cooking Lesson is How to Cook Rice on the Stove Top
Since rice is a staple for most East Asian and Southeast Asian families, cooking rice is one of the first cooking lessons for a child. We learn to wash the rice and measure the amount of water required from an early age. Most families use a specific pot for cooking rice and this can be in any size, depending on the size of the family.
Washing the Rice
We usually wash and drain the rice several times in the same pot. Then, we add and “measure” fresh clear water back into the pot to ensure that the rice is cooked as always. The outside of the pot is wiped dry and placed on the stove for cooking. It appears as if little thought is given to process but the rice is cooked to perfection each and every time.
Measuring the Water Needed
We use two methods to measure the amount of water needed to cook the rice.
1. The first one is to place your palm flat on top of the washed rice. Add or remove water until the level comes up to your middle knuckle.
2. The second is to lightly touch the top of the washed rice with your index finger. Add or remove water until the level comes up to the first joint of your index finger.
Of course, if you prefer to use a measuring cup, the ratio of long grain rice to water is 1:1.25 for fluffy rice. If you prefer soft, sticky rice, add more water up to the ratio of 1:1.5.
How to Cook Rice – Tried and Tested Method
This tried and tested method has been used for generations and continues to be used to this day. There are people who prefer not to use a rice cooker. I love the convenience of the rice cooker and use this method only when I need a very small amount of rice. I hope you find this tutorial helpful and will give it a try.
How to Cook Rice on the Stove Top
Equipment
- A cooking pot
Materials
- 2 cups long grain rice
- Sufficient water
Instructions
- Wash and drain rice several times in the pot until water runs almost clear. It may take 4 to 5 times of washing and draining.
- Then, add sufficient cold water to the pot.
- Place your palm flat on top of the washed rice. Add or remove water until the level comes up to your middle knuckle. Alternatively, lightly touch the top of the washed rice with your index finger. Add or remove water until the level comes up to the first joint of your index finger.
- Wipe the pot dry and cover with lid. Place on the stove over medium heat.
- When water comes to a boil, tilt the lid slightly to allow steam to vent. This will prevent a messy spill over on the stove.
- Reduce heat to low and allow rice to simmer for 12 to 15 minutes.
- About half way through cooking, much of the water would have been absorbed. Lower the lid and cover pot completely. Continue to cook on low until all water is absorbed.
- Reduce heat to the lowest setting on your stove and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
- Turn off stove. Allow rice to sit covered for 10 minutes.
- Fluff cooked rice with a pair of chopsticks or a fork before serving.
Video
Uncooked Rice and Yield of Cooked Rice
The small rice cooker cup that comes with the rice cooker does not equal 1 US cup of uncooked rice which weighs approximately 200g. 1 rice cooker cup of uncooked rice is only ¾ of the the US cup or 150g. Therefore, you will need 1⅓ rice cooker cup to make 1 US cup of uncooked rice.
1 US cup uncooked rice = 1⅓ rice cooker cup uncooked rice
When cooked, 1 US cup of uncooked rice yields 3 US cups of cooked rice and 1 rice cooker cup uncooked rice yields 2¼ US cups of cooked rice.
1 US cup uncooked rice = 3 US cup cooked rice
1 rice cooker cup uncooked rice = 2¼ US cups of cooked rice
As a general rule of thumb, cook about ½ US cup or ⅔ rice cooker cup or 100g of uncooked rice for each person.
1 serving uncooked rice = ½ US cup = ⅔ rice cooker cup = 100g
1 serving cooked rice = 1½ US cups