When it comes to grains, white rice may not seem like the most exotic option out there. But that doesnt have to be the case. White rice can quickly become a lot more exciting with only a little extra effort.
How so? For a lot of people, white rice basically means plain steamed white rice. But there is a lot more to the grain. In fact, adding various seasonings, experimenting with cooking liquids, and trying out other methods of flavoring will quickly spruce up white rice and make it a more complex and unique part of any meal.
Cooking rice using new methods has added benefits in addition to expanding your collection of ingredients. For one, rice really goes with just about everything, and you may find your way to new cuisines through experimentation. It also offers convenience: White rice is quite versatile. Its complete on its own, as a side dish, as the base of a main course, and even as a dessert.
So if your rice-cooking habits have become dull, and youre interested in changing things up, there are several different ways of adding vibrancy and flavor to white rice.
As for those additions, here they are:Stir in a tablespoon or more of butter.Stir in a tablespoon or more of olive oil.Drizzle with soy sauce.Add lots of pepper.Stir in a couple of tablespoons minced fresh herbs, ideally warmed first in melted butter.
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Stir in a tablespoon or more of butter.
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Stir in a tablespoon or more of olive oil.
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Drizzle with soy sauce.
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Add lots of pepper.
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Stir in a couple of tablespoons minced fresh herbs, ideally warmed first in melted butter.
Make Spanish rice
If you do not have the time to make a complex rice dish like paella, you can still do something very similar with basic white rice at home. The Shortcut Spanish Rice recipe packs a ton of flavor, but it can be made in half an hour, which is a fraction of the time of a more complicated dish
Whats the trick? Toasting rice in melted butter has a nice effect, while adding cumin brings out recognizable flavors. But adding a salsa in which to cook the rice is especially key. Youll cook the rice in a 1:1 ratio with the addition of salsa and water, which infuses it with rich tomato flavors.
Your choice of salsa will also add to the rices spiciness. Salsa, of course, can easily be purchased in the grocery store. But for the freshest version (and to most closely control the level of “heat” in the finished product), consider making your own salsa at home.
Cook rice with orange juice
It might sound a little strange, but there is one other liquid that can add some pretty interesting and unexpected flavors to white rice: Orange juice. Admittedly, it is fair to say that orange juice-cooked rice may not work well for every dish.
Similar to lemon, using orange juice as a cooking liquid for savory recipes can add citrusy, sweet notes to steamed rice without overpowering the rice (or making it unpalatable). Whats more, orange juice will impart a yellow-orange color to rice, potentially making it uniquely attractive for whatever meal youre making.
This type of rice may work particularly well with curries and similar dishes, where the slight sweetness of the rice pairs nicely with curried or spicy meats or vegetables. And if youre not so sure, try adding only a little orange juice on a small portion at first (along with water) to get a sense of the flavor and figure out if its right for you.
How To Cook: White Rice on the Stove
FAQ
How do you Flavour pre cooked rice?
How do you make ready rice taste better?
What can I put on rice besides butter?
How do you add flavor to plain white rice?
One of the most basic ways to add a little extra flavor to plain white rice is pretty simple and can often easily be done with ingredients you already have at home. All you need to do is add a little bit of butter and salt, which can help make the rice fluffier and richer. There are a few ways to go about it.
What should I use to mix in boiled rice?
Adding veggies like carrots is a good way to vary it up. In addition to making the dish more beautiful and colorful, you enjoy the benefits of vegetables.
How do you make white rice taste better?
To add more flavor to white rice, Stephanie Izard, winner of Iron Chef and Top Chef and recipient of James Beard Best Chef: Great Lakes, suggests adding your favorite spice mix and some chicken bouillon to the water to make a tasty spiced broth. “Then add in some beans from your pantry—like chickpeas, pigeon peas or black beans,” she says.
How do you make rice taste good?
One of my favorite ways to add flavor to rice is by either using a cooking liquid other than water (bouillon or broth is an easy alternative), or by stirring in some fresh herbs, dried fruit, peas, nuts, or other flavor and color boosters. Below are 10 of my favorite ways to make rice taste especially good. 1. Vegetable-Spiked Rice