Brown basmati rice is a rice variety that has very long, fragrant grains. The resulting rice has a nutty taste. This rice originated in India and is still widely grown and consumed in the country. Brown basmati rice belongs to the brown rice family. Therefore, basmati rice is very healthy and can be served with various dishes. In addition, you can add some ingredients. This article will provide information on how to prepare this unique rice and its main processing methods, namely boiling, steaming, and cooking in a pressure cooker.
Ingredients
Brown Basmati Rice
Servings: 6 cups
- 2 cups (400 g) brown basmati rice
- 2.5-3 cups (600-700 ml) water
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
Step
Method 1 of 4: Washing and Soaking Basmati Rice
Step 1. Wash the rice with cold water
Measure out 2 cups (400 grams) of brown basmati rice and pour into a medium bowl of cold tap water.
Step 2. Wash the rice
Use your hands to stir the rice until the wash water becomes cloudy and foam forms around the edges.
- Although washing the rice can remove some of its nutrients, brown basmati rice is generally imported and may be processed with talc, powdered glucose, and rice powder. Therefore, rice experts recommend washing it before processing.
- Washing the rice will also remove some of the starch, which will help make the rice less sticky.
Step 3. Drain the rice to separate the water
Pour the water through the sieve by tilting the bowl to one side. You can place the plate on top of the bowl to prevent the rice from spilling out while draining the water.
Step 4. Rinse the rice several times
Add tap water to the bowl and repeat the same process until the rinse water is clear. For that, you may have to do it 10 times.
Step 5. Once the rinse water looks clear, let the rice sit in the bowl and set aside
Step 6. Pour cold water into the bowl to soak the rice
Add 2.5 cups (600 ml) of cold water to the washed and drained rice. Soak the rice for 30 minutes to 24 hours, depending on the cooking method you're using and how long you're going to cook it for. The longer the soak, the less time it will take to cook.
- In addition, basmati rice is known to have a pleasant taste and can be lost during the heating process. Soaking the rice can reduce the cooking time and thus retain most of its flavor.
- Soaking also improves the texture of the rice, resulting in a softer and lighter rice.
Step 7. Drain the water from the rice
Use a sieve to drain the water that has not been absorbed by the rice.
You can also use a large sieve, but choose one that has holes so small that the rice cannot escape through the holes
Method 2 of 4: Boiling Basmati Rice
Step 1. Prepare the water
Add 2.5 cups (600 ml) of water to a medium saucepan with a lid on the stove.
- In order for the rice to cook properly, make sure the pot has a tight lid so heat and steam can't escape.
- Make sure the pan is not too small, as the rice will triple in volume once it is cooked.
Step 2. Then, add about 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt to the water
Like pasta, salt is used to enhance the natural flavor of the rice so it doesn't taste bland. In this case, the purpose of using salt is not to make the rice taste salty.
Step 3. Mix the rice and water
Pour 2 cups (400 g) of soaked and washed brown basmati rice into the saucepan. Use a spoon to mix the rice with the water.
This is your chance to stir the rice. You don't have to do this again until the rice is cooked. Stirring the rice while cooking will activate the starch and make the rice sticky or mushy
Step 4. After boiling, reduce the heat and continue the cooking process
Turn on the stove on high heat. Once the water boils, reduce the heat, cover the pot, and continue cooking for 15-40 minutes until all the water is absorbed.
- The difference in cooking time really depends on how long you soak the rice.
- If you soak the rice for 30 minutes, it will take about 40 minutes to cook. If you soak the rice overnight, it will only take you about 15 minutes to cook.
- After the water boils, it is very important to reduce the heat and continue the heating process. If you cook the rice too quickly on high heat, the rice will be tough due to the evaporated water. In addition, the rice grains will break.
Step 5. Check the doneness of the rice
Quickly open the lid of the pot and scoop out some rice with a fork. Immediately close the pot again. If the rice is soft and all the water has been absorbed, it means the rice is cooked. If not, continue cooking for another 2-4 minutes.
If the rice is still firm, but all the water has been absorbed, it's a good idea to add more water. Pour slowly and add only about cup (60 ml) of water
Step 6. Remove the pan from the stove, then cover it with a kitchen towel/napkin
After the cooking process is complete, remove the pan from the stove and open the lid. Place the folded towel over the pan and put the lid back on.
The towel will help evaporate the rice, making it more chewy. Also, the towel will absorb any excess moisture that will fall back onto the rice
Step 7. Let the rice sit for 10 minutes
Do not open the lid during this time or the steam needed to complete the cooking process will be lost.
Step 8. Remove the lid from the pot and the towel, then stir in the rice
Use a fork to stir the rice in the pot. Then, let the rice remain in the pot, uncovered, for a few minutes to prevent the rice from getting soggy.
Using a fork allows the remaining steam to escape and the rice grains don't stick together
Step 9. Take the rice with a fork and serve
Use a large spoon or non-stick spoon to scoop out the rice. You can enjoy it alone or eat it with other dishes.
Method 3 of 4: Cooking Brown Basmati Rice Using a Rice Cooker
Step 1. Read the instructions carefully
There are a variety of rice cookers on the market, but not all of them work the same way or have the same features.
For example, some rice cookers have settings for white and brown rice, while others do not
Step 2. Mix water and rice
Use a wooden spoon or ladle to mix 2 cups (400 g) of brown basmati rice with 3 cups (700 ml) of water in the rice cooker.
- Many rice cookers come with a dry measuring cup. However, this measuring cup is only equivalent to a standard cup.
- Do not use metal utensils when stirring or scooping rice as this may damage the nonstick coating on the pan in the rice cooker.
Step 3. Close the rice cooker and start the cooking process
Generally rice cookers have two settings; cook and warm (cook and warm). So make sure you choose the setting for cooking. That way, the water will boil faster.
- After the rice has absorbed all the water, the temperature will rise above the boiling point of the water, which is 100 °C. At this point, most rice cookers will automatically switch to the setting to warm up.
- This process usually takes about 30 minutes.
- The setting to warm will keep the rice at a safe temperature for serving until you turn off the rice cooker.
Step 4. Do not open the lid during the cooking process
As with the previous method (boiling rice), do not open the lid during the cooking process or because the moisture needed to cook the rice will flow out.
Step 5. Let the rice sit in the rice cooker
Once the rice cooker switches to the setting to warm up, do not open the lid immediately. Leave the rice in the cooker for 5-10 minutes for complete cooking.
Step 6. Open the lid of the rice cooker and stir the rice
Close the book carefully and keep your face away from the remaining hot steam. Use a spoon or wooden spoon to gently stir the rice.
Step 7. Serve the rice
Now, you can serve the rice or store it in the fridge or freezer for later consumption.
- If you want to store rice in the refrigerator, put it in a bowl, then cover or wrap it in plastic food wrap. Rice can last for 3-4 days. Do not let the rice sit for more than 2 hours before storing it in the refrigerator.
- If you want to store rice in the freezer, put it in a plastic clip bag and store it in the freezer. If you want to eat it, thaw the rice (still in the plastic bag) in the refrigerator overnight.
Method 4 of 4: Cooking Basmati Rice Using a Pressure Pot
Step 1. Mix water, rice and salt
Mix 2 cups (400 g) of brown basmati rice, 2.5 cups (600 ml) of water and 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt in a pressure cooker and turn the stove over to medium-high or high heat to reach high pressure.
Step 2. Put the lid on the pot properly
Run the timer once the pressure cooker reaches high pressure.
- Different models of pressure cookers have different types of valves to let you know when the pan reaches high pressure.
- Pressure cookers equipped with spring valves usually have a bar or stem that moves up; the jiggler valve will vibrate and shake slowly at first, then more rapidly; a weight-modified valve will make a whistling and hissing sound when lifted up and down.
Step 3. Reduce the heat and continue the cooking process
Lower the heat until the pressure cooker reaches a steady state and allow the cooking process to continue. The total time required after reaching high pressure until the cooking process is complete is about 12-15 minutes.
Again, the time it takes will depend on how long you soak the rice
Step 4. Turn off the stove
Allow the temperature and pressure to drop naturally for about 10-15 minutes after you turn off the heat. The safety lock mechanism will release or the indicator will let you know when the pressure has dropped.
- Alternatively, you can put on kitchen gloves and place a pressure cooker in the sink. Flush the pot with cold water to lower the pressure. Then, release the valve and push the button, turn it, press the lever to release the remaining hot steam and pressure.
- Whichever method you choose, be careful when you do this and know where the steam will be blowing out so you don't burn yourself.
Step 5. Stir in the rice and serve
Use a fork to stir the rice, then serve. You can also store it in the refrigerator or freezer for later consumption.
