Master the Art of Cooking Flawless Brown Rice on the Stove

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A Guide to Cooking Perfect Brown Rice:

Nowadays, many people are swapping white rice for brown due to its health benefits. Whole Foods, for example, serves almost half of their sushi offerings with brown rice to cater to those health-conscious consumers.

Various restaurants, particularly Asian cuisine establishments, also offer brown rice as an alternative. Consequently, more people are cooking brown rice at home. If you're new to brown rice and want some guidance on how to cook it well, stay tuned.

Poorly cooked brown rice can be bland, grainy, or mushy, whereas perfectly cooked brown rice is tender, chewy, flavourful, and nutritious. Here is an excellent recipe for cooking brown rice perfectly every time.

What is Brown Rice?

Brown rice undergoes a process of dehulling, which removes the inedible outer layer but retains the nutritious germ and the outer layer. As a result, brown rice is more nutritious and has a denser, nuttier texture than white rice.

Brown rice also comes in various types, such as long-grain and basmati. Long or medium-grain rice works well for most recipes, including simple cooked brown rice, while short-grain rice can be stickier and may be ideal for some forms of Asian rice.

Do You Need to Rinse or Soak Brown Rice Before Cooking?

While it is often advised to rinse or soak brown rice to keep the grains separate, it is not necessary to do so. The instructions on your package of brown rice may specify whether you need to rinse or soak before cooking.

The Best Foolproof Brown Rice Recipe: Brown Rice to Water Ratios and Cooking Time

The basic ratio of water to brown rice is 2 1/2 cups of water for every cup of brown rice. You may opt to cook your rice in a light broth instead of water for added flavor. Vegetarian broth is a good option if you want to keep your rice vegan.

It takes around 45 minutes for brown rice to cook until tender. Let it stand for ten minutes before serving.

Is Cooking Brown Rice Hard?

Cooking brown rice is not challenging; it only takes longer. Keep this in mind when planning your meals so that you have enough time to prepare it. You can also make a large batch and store it for future use.

How to Freeze Cooked Brown Rice

Secure your cooked brown rice in freezer-proof zipper top bags, preferably in sizes that you are most likely to defrost in the coming months. Press the bag to remove any air, seal it, and label it with the name and date. This way, you won't have to guess what's in the bag after a few months in the freezer. Cooked brown rice can stay frozen for four to six months.

When it comes to rice, the main difference between brown and white is that the latter has had not only the outer hull but also the cereal germ removed. This means that a few vitamins and minerals are lost during the process, whereas brown rice has more fiber and magnesium, as well as folate and other minerals. This higher fiber content makes brown rice the better choice for those who want to feel fuller for longer. Studies have shown that consuming brown rice and other whole grains comes with a range of health benefits.

As for calories and carbs, both types of rice have similar amounts per cup, with brown rice being slightly higher in carbs at 44 grams per cup. A cup of brown rice has 216 calories and 1.8 grams of fat.

If you keep your brown rice in an unopened bag, it will have a “Best Used By” date on it. However, once you’ve opened the bag, you should transfer the rice to an airtight container and use it within four months. This is especially important as the natural oils in brown rice can cause it to go rancid more quickly than white rice.

The great thing about brown rice is that it can be served with pretty much anything you’d normally serve with white rice. Once you’ve mastered the art of cooking perfect brown rice, you can pair it with Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables, Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts with Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, or Thai Salmon.

If you’re looking for inspiration for how to cook brown rice in new and delicious ways, don’t miss these 10 Ways to Use Leftover Rice. And if you're interested in learning how to cook other types of grains like millet, bulgur wheat, farro, or grits, check out these How to Cook Simple Grain Recipes.

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To rinse or not to rinse? That is the question. If you're feeling lazy, skip this step. Combine a medium saucepan with your rice, water, salt, and butter (if desired) and bring it to a simmer, uncovered, over medium-high heat. Once it's simmering, reduce the heat to keep it at a low simmer, and cover the pot. Leave it to simmer, untouched and undisturbed, for 45 minutes. Now, uncover the pot, check to see if the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. If it's ready, remove it from the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes with the lid on. If it's not quite tender but the water is gone, add a few tablespoons of water or broth, then let it simmer for another minute or two. If there's just a little liquid left, let it be while the rice rests for 10 minutes—it should fully absorb. Lastly, fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

Brown rice is available in every possible type, from long-grain to basmati. However, long or medium grain is the best option for most preparations, including simple cooked brown rice. Short grain is sometimes preferred for Asian rice recipes, given its stickiness.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 136.26kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.54g | Protein: 2.82g | Fat: 2.95g | Saturated Fat: 1.4g | Cholesterol: 5.02mg | Sodium: 376.3mg | Potassium: 163.2mg | Fiber: 1.08g | Sugar: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 58.31IU | Vitamin C: 6.86mg | Calcium: 16.32mg | Iron: 0.77mg

Please note that these nutrition values are an estimation and are not meant to replace the advice of a certified healthcare professional.

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