Rice possibly cooked by three ways, each of which needs a different proportion of water. These techniques are boiling, which needs 12 times as much water as rice; the Japanese process, which needs 5 times as much; and steaming, which requires 2-1/2 times as much. Whichever of these methods is used, however, it should be remembered that the rice grains, when properly cooked, must be entirely and distinct. To give them this form and prevent the rice from having a pasty appearance, this cereal should not be stirred too much in cooking nor should it be cooked too long.
BOILED RICE:
Boiling is about the simplest way. Properly boiled rice not only forms a valuable dish itself, but is an excellent foundation for other dishes that may be served at any meal. The water in which rice is boiled should not be wasted, as it contains much nutritive material. This water may be utilized in the preparation of soups or sauces, or it may even be used to supply the liquid required in the making of yeast bread.
BOILED RICE (enough to Serve Eight):
1 c. rice ; 3 tsp. Salt; 3 qt. boiling water
Wash the rice carefully and add it to the boiling salted water. Boil quickly until the water starts to look milky because of the starch coming out of the rice into the water or until a grain can be easily crushed between the fingers. Drain the cooked rice through a colander, and then pour cold water over the rice in the colander, so as to wash out the loose starch and leave each grain distinct. Reheat the rice by shaking it over the fire, and serve hot with butter, gravy, or cream or milk and sugar.
JAPANESE METHOD:
Rice prepared by the Japanese method may be used in the equivalent ways as boiled rice. However, unless some use is to be made of the liquid from boiled rice, the Japanese way has the advantage of being a more economical way of cooking this cereal.JAPANESE METHOD (Sufficient to Serve Eight)
1 c. rice ; 1-1/2 tsp. Salt; 5 c. boiling water
Wash the rice, add it to the boiling salted water, and boil slowly for fifteen minutes. Then cover the utensil in which the rice is cooking and put it in the oven for fifteen minutes more, in order to vaporise the water more totally and make the grains soft without being mushy. Serve in the same way as boiled rice.
STEAMED RICE:
To steam rice requires more time than either of the preceding cooking methods, but it induces no loss of food material. Then, also, unless the rice is stirred too much while it is steaming, it will have a better appearance than rice cooked by the other techniques. As in the case of boiled rice, steamed rice may be used as the foundation for a diversity of dishes and may be served in any meal.
STEAMED RICE (enough to Serve Six)
1 c. rice; 1-1/2 tsp. Salt 2-1/2 c. water
Wash the rice carefully and add it to the boiling salted water. Cook it for five minutes and then put it in a double boiler and allow it to cook till it is soft. Keep the cooking utensil covered and do not stir the rice. About one hour will be needed to cook rice in this method. Serve in the equivalent way as boiled rice.
