|
Ok so I'm white and know nothing about cooking rice -- but a couple of years ago I did a homestay trip in Japan and my Japanese mom made the best food ever.
anyways, there was this really simple thing they did for breakfast where you just have your cup of rice, and you take a dry seaweed strip, dip it in soy sauce, place it on top of your rice, and close it over the rice with your chop sticks.
so its basically wrapping a little ball of white rice with some seaweed -- real simple, and it's real tasty.
since I may be living in an apartment next semester and will have to cook my own food, I was just curious on the different ways to attain some white rice -- the good asian kind, that is.
do you have to have a rice cooker? or is there another way? also, do you think seaweed strips can be found in American super markets or no?
and yeah i'm retarded, the only food I can make is pop tarts.
|
rice cooker is the easiest way to make rice
nori (seaweed) can be found at your local japanese market (or korean market http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gim_(food) ). you can also find the same kind of rice at asian markets in bulk, and probably in small quantities at american markets.
|
You probably want sticky rice, and rice cooker is by far the easiest way. You can get it at any asian supermarket will do.
|
On November 18 2009 14:53 wok wrote: You probably want sticky rice, and rice cooker is by far the easiest way. You can get it at any asian supermarket will do.
do you just pour the rice in and add water or something?
|
|
Ricecooker is by far the easiest way to make rice (and best tasting). Any brand / model will do but I recommend a Cuckoo pressurized rice cooker if you got the money. (Ricecooker is a great investment!)
You aren't going to find nori (seaweed) in a us supermarket. Head down to your local asian market (korean ones for sure have it) and pick up a couple packages. They come in large square sheets. Buy em in bulk and store what you're not going to use for awhile in the freezer.
Edit: as mentioned above, korean instant rice is good too if you're really short on time.
|
On November 18 2009 14:57 eMbrace wrote:Show nested quote +On November 18 2009 14:53 wok wrote: You probably want sticky rice, and rice cooker is by far the easiest way. You can get it at any asian supermarket will do. do you just pour the rice in and add water or something?
yep lol
maybe rinse/wash the rice before ; ) it's mostly about getting the amount of water correct
|
I started cooking rice for the first time this semester. My friends and I bought a huge bag of rice from a local Asian market (you can get rice in bulk for cheap from Costco and the like). I don't have a rice cooker, so I just steam cook it in a huge pot on my stovetop. I epic failed my first time cooking it (burnt rice sucks) ... but now I make perfect rice every time. Here are some tips:
-figure out the correct ratio of rice to water. It depends on the actual type of the rice (there should be directions on the bag). Usually the ratio is 1 cup of rice = 1.5 cups of water. -figure out the correct cooking time. Once again, look on the bag. Usually this is around 15-20 minutes. -add the rice to the pot, and then add the right amount of water. Here is the important part: stir the rice for a few seconds (and/or rinse before adding to the pot). This ensures that the water gets over all the rice and it cleans the rice of any impurities. -cook covered for the right amount of time. DON'T TOUCH THE RICE. -when the cooking time is over, take the rice off the heat. DON'T TOUCH THE RICE. -let the rice sit for a few minutes (5-10 mins is good). -enjoy. Perfect rice every time.
I don't know about seaweed strips. I'm not Asian. I just enjoy making fried rice with random foods. Yummy yummy.
|
On November 18 2009 15:00 xmShake wrote: Ricecooker is by far the easiest way to make rice (and best tasting). Any brand / model will do but I recommend a Cuckoo pressurized rice cooker if you got the money. (Ricecooker is a great investment!)
You aren't going to find nori (seaweed) in a us supermarket. Head down to your local asian market (korean ones for sure have it) and pick up a couple packages. They come in large square sheets. Buy em in bulk and store what you're not going to use for awhile in the freezer.
Edit: as mentioned above, korean instant rice is good too if you're really short on time.
seaweed in the freezer? never heard of that :o
|
|
if all else fails, make ramen. its so easy a 6 year old can do it.
edit: instant rice is gross
|
I was also wondering about this. Is there a difference between regular white rice and the sticky white rice? I want the stikcy stuff but dont really know what its called.
|
On November 18 2009 15:10 Fixed wrote: I was also wondering about this. Is there a difference between regular white rice and the sticky white rice? I want the stikcy stuff but dont really know what its called.
you need more water i think. Im not so sure about cooking rice so this blog is so cool :D
|
rice with rice cooker is like impossible to fuck up i've been taught some dumbed down way but hey, it works -pour some rice (i use basmati which doesn't stick as well so i just add more water) in the rice cooker pot thingy, pour some water, squeeze/wash it, pour out the stained water -fill it up with water again, dry your finger so you can measure how much water is needed accurately -even out the rice in the pot, stick your finger in, have the water be 2x the height of rice -shove it in the rice cooker, cover it up, come back whenever it clicks off (no reason to hurry, it stays good even if ur like hours late
=)
|
Canada8028 Posts
afaik, there's really not much difference between rice cookers. I mean, they all function in basically the same way, and it's not like there's moving parts or anything. I've never heard of anyone's rice cooker breaking either - the one I use at home has lasted for at least a decade.
Cooking rice in a rice cooker is idiotproof, btw. Just add rice, add water, and turn the cooker on. There's usually measurements on the inside of the cooker it's basically impossible to screw anything up.
|
Most bags of rice (from Trader Joe's or something) have pretty clear directions on them. The great thing about rice is if you have the measurements right, it turns out great. I like a bit stiffer and stickier rice, so I use 1.25 cups water for each cup of rice, and cook on on Medium-Low heat the whole time, instead of simply simmering.
Basically just follow the directions on the bag though and it'll taste great. I'd say to only get a rice cooker if you're gonna make it like every day, otherwise you'll be fine with just a pot.
|
Use a rice cooker..... Unless you buy instant rice. I am used to eating long grain, thought to use the finger or palm trick. The water usually should be 2 to 1(This is usually comes out perfect), if you prefer stickier rice (Which I do) than just add more water.
edit: You can easily find different varieties of rice in supermarkets these days. Or find a local Asian market and buy the huge bags.
|
doubleupgradeobbies!
Australia1187 Posts
You can also get a microwave rice cooker.
something like: http://www.getprice.com.au/Microwave-Rice-cooker-6-cup-Gpnc_248--37469042.htm
I've been using something like that for years now and i can't say there has been much difference between that and an actual pressure cooker. I do find it takes a little more water though.
You also don't get the bit of burnt rice stuck to the bottom like you do on some pressure cookers.
Pressure cookers are pretty sturdy, the only way i've seen them break is when you poor cold water onto it while it's still hot, so don't do that.
|
On November 18 2009 14:51 eMbrace wrote:
also, do you think seaweed strips can be found in American super markets or no?
if you have a health food/natural marketplace/organic store in town, go there and get that seaweed in bulk. every store like that i've been to (az, cali, seattle, vancovuer) had them in their bulk dept.
|
the rice you are probably thinking of is sushi rice. You can cook he sushi rice by cooking 1 cup of rice to 1.25 cups of water. Just stick in the rice cooker and you're golden. Rice cookers are pretty inexpensive. I got mine for 15 dollars and it came with a steaming attachment. And you can make macaroni and cheese with it too! If you do decide to buy a rice cooker get one with a non-sick surface. That will save you 1/5 cup of rice everytime you make it.
|
|
|
|