Lucinda's perfect rice

[cbayer]

I have struggled with rice for a long time and sought the advice of Lucinda.

Last night I made it exactly as she instructed and it was perfect.

Here are her instructions:

1 1/2 cup water
1 cup rice
1/2 tsp salt
1 tablespoon of butter

Put it all in a pot, bring it to a boil and give it a quick stir, then turn it down to low, cover and leave alone for 20* minutes.
At 20 minutes, take off the lid for just a few seconds to let steam escape, and turn off the heat. Recover right away, let sit for 5 more minutes, then fluff.

*It can go as long as 25 minutes before you let the steam out if you like really dry rice.

I do use jasmine rice instead of basmati, but thats our preference, and I cook it in a regular stainless saucepan with glass lid though the video suggests a heavier pan.

Thank you, Lucinda. Probably most people know this already, but I was doing it all wrong.

[Lucinda]

1. I'm so glad you like the way it turns out!

It's always perfect for me when I do it this way. Not one failure ever. Nice and fluffy.

[cbayer]

2. It was perfect, Lucinda, and I am so pleased.

I served it with a great thai chicken curry that I made.

We will be eating it again tonight, and I can not thank you enough for the lesson.

:cheers:

[Lucinda]

3. I found the technique on the web a while back...just passing it along!

Have a great dinner!

[hobbit709]

4. If I'm making rice for a chicken dish.

I cook the rice in chicken broth instead of water.

[freshwest]

18. That's a good idea for several things. Adds flavor and some oil. I add saffron, too,

[pinto]

5. Congrats! Nothing like really good rice. My disasters usually end up in soup.

Or mixed in the dog dish if my sister's Dachshund is here...

[freshwest]

19. I cover up my rice disasters with lots of sauce. Like the cat that runs into the wall and says...

'Sure it looks dumb and painful. But I meant to do that!'

[pinto]

21. LOL.

Yep.

[cbayer]

22. Like Julia Childs said, "Never apologize".

Did you ever see the episode of her show when she dropped the chicken on the floor?

She just calmly picks it up and puts it back on the plate, just like she meant to do it all along.

[freshwest]

23. No, but I loved watching her as a kid. Now when my kid drops something on the floor, I say:

'It's okay! Three second rule!

The germs aren't there yet! Just eat it already!'

A little bit of dirt isn't fatal, right?

[cbayer]

24. We always had the 6 second rules in my house and I maintain the exposure to dirt

is good for your immune system!

[freshwest]

25. Agreed!

[HopeHoops]

6. As Mollie Katzen said - "You don't check in on it every two minutes to see if it's still there."

It has to steam.

[northoftheborder]

7. Can't remember where I heard this hint, maybe here, but I have great success with....

...the suggestion to leave the top on the rice when done for 5-10 minutes. Somehow, the rice is much fluffier and less sticky when I do this. I never knew this hint, and I've been cooking for ages and ages and ages!!!!!

[Phentex]

11. We all need hints...

I've not had trouble with rice but I still like to hear what others do. My method is the basic one but I leave the lid on when done because I'm usually finishing up the other stuff.

[MagickMuffin]

8. I'll include / share my technique in case anyone wants to give it a go

Although I am glad you found this technique, I think you should also try the one below as it requires no attention except for the first 5 minutes or so.


1 T butter
1 C Rice
2 C Water


Melt butter in pan, add rice and coat evenly; add water bring to boil for 3 to 4 minutes.

Cover, turn off heat and allow to continue to "cook" and absorb the liquid before removing the lid. Fluff Rice, add any other ingredients if you so desire.


I have a rice cooker I received as a gift, used it once. I prefer the stovetop method.

[cbayer]

9. Two questions

What kind of rice do you use?

Do you rinse it first?

[MagickMuffin]

12. Usually Basmati, Jasmine, and sometimes brown

the brown rice takes a little longer to boil around 7 to 8 minutes, but the rest is basically the same method.

No rinsing. Just add to melted butter and coat evenly.

[Phentex]

10. and

how long does it sit after you covered?

Thanks!

[MagickMuffin]

13. Oops, and D'OH

We usually leave it to stand for 20 minutes. By then the liquid has had a chance to absorb.

Of course you can check to see when the water has absorbed, it doesn't affect the outcome.

[fizzgig]

14. thanks for sharing!

i have been having issues with rice, i will definitely try this next time

[kurtzapril4]

15. I read something somewhere

....I think it was a cookbook. And this person claimed s/he cooked rice like spaghetti is cooked, and got light, fluffly rice every time.

So I've been doing it that way ever since. It works with brown rice, white rice, basmati rice and even instant rice. No more steaming, doesn't matter if you lift the lid, etc.
You just fill a pot with water, and dump in the rice. And some salt, if you so desire. Cook the length of time recommended on the package. When rice is done, drain using a big fine mesh strainer, or a colander lined with cheesecloth. Fluff with fork.

[cbayer]

16. I have never seen it that way. Isn't it kind of wet?

[kurtzapril4]

17. No. Not at all.

It ends up light and fluffy after it is drained.

[Arkansas Granny]

20. My method is very similar. The only difference is I use a ratio of 2 parts water to 1 part rice.

Instead of timing the rice, I wait until the water is no longer visible between the grains of rice and then let it sit and steam for 5 to 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork. It comes out perfectly tender and fluffy.

[Ecumenist]

26. With the exception of butter, this is the way that black folks who have roots in the lowlands of the

Carolinas have ALWAYS cooked their rice. Difference is that we place the rice into the pot and cover with water to .25 inch over rice and enough salt to make the water taste salted. Bring to a boil, then lower the flame as low as possible WITHOUT TURNING IT OFF and simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes. . turn the flame off. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes, fluff,( if desired) and serve.

[GoCubsGo]

27. I just tried this with Basmati rice.

It came out perfect! Thank you for posting this. I always wind up putting in too much water. I will have to try cutting back when I make brown rice, too.