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Does your rice keep coming out uncooked or undercooked? Everyone wants their rice to be crunchy and fluffy when it’s not, that can be very disappointing especially when there are others waiting to eat it. How to save undercooked rice? The good news is undercooked rice can be fixed. Yep, you heard right. So without further ado, here is how to fix undercooked rice in multiple ways.
What Causes Undercooked Rice
The main cause of undercooked rice is not enough water. On the other hand, you don’t want to add too much water either. This could cause the rice to be mushy and overcooked. The size and weight of the pot can also be the culprit. When cooking rice the type of rice should also be considered when adding water.
There are various types of rice on the market. Some are partially cooked while others are raw. If you check the package there’s always a manufacturer’s cooking guide. Whatever the cooking guide says measuring the uncooked rice before cooking is always best.
For example, cooking two pounds of rice in a pot that holds only a quart of water is a setup for a rice disaster. Rice swells as it cooks, what will happen, is the rice will rise above the pot level. When this occurs the middle of the rice will cook leaving the sides.
How To Fix Undercooked Rice
- Use a fork to stir the rice— if it’s unevenly cooked
- Pour a 1/4 cup of cool water all over the rice
- Turn the heat on low (very low)
- Cover the top of the pot with plastic wrap
- Then, place the lid on
- Allow it to steam for 10-15 minutes
Why Use A Fork
When cooking rice a fork is best to use. This is an ancient myth from the old days to keep rice from becoming mushy. The fork will distribute the rice evenly allowing all the rice to be cooked at the same time.
What Is The Plastic Wrap For
The plastic wrap helps to steam the undercooked rice. It simply causes extra moisture to build up in the pot. A plastic grocery bag can be used in place of the plastic wrap.
Watery Rice…For watery rice covering with plastic wrap also works. Absorbing the water is key and the plastic will do just that. When having a rice issue, any of the two (plastic wrap or bag) are heroes to fixing undercooked rice. Avoid stirring this type of rice as it will become soggy.
The Best Way To Fix Burnt Rice
If the rice is burnt there isn’t much to do to reverse the burn. What you can do is to stop the entire pot of rice from smelling burnt.
Remedy…Remove the pot from the stove immediately. Secondly, using a wide enough container, pour in cold water a quart should be ok. Place the pot in that container and let it remain there for 20-30 minutes. Do not stir the rice at this point as this will circulate the burnt smell throughout the pot.
Extra Tip… For burnt rice, place 1-2 slices of bread on top of the rice. The slices of bread will absorb the burnt smell.
The Rice Overly Mushy___Watery
This rice is what you called “spoiled rice”. Trying to evaporate the water at this stage is useless, but all is not lost. Why not turn the mushy rice into a rice pudding. This is the perfect rice for a delicious bowl of rice porridge hmm yummy! While you’re thinking about that go ahead and fix another pot of rice only this time go easy on the water.
Extra Tip…It’s always best to make sure the rice is a little above the water. As it cooks you gradually add more water and that should give you a fluffy outcome.
How To Fix Undercooked Rice In The Microwave
To fix undercooked rice in the microwave simply pour the rice out in a microwavable bowl. Next, add water and cover with a sheet of paper towel. Turn the microwave on cooked and let it run for 2-3 minutes.
How To Fix Undercooked Rice On Stove
Pour ample amount of cool water on the rice. Make sure to turn the stove on to very low heat. Cover the pot with aluminum foil then the lid and let it steam for 5-10 minutes. After the rice is fully cooked use a fork to fluff the rice.
An Easy To Fix Undercooked Brown Rice
Simply add more water then replace the lid. Let it steam for 5-8 minutes. Remove the lid and cover with aluminum foil for 5 more minutes or until it’s ready to be served.
Extra Tip…How To Fix Dry Rice
If the rice appeared to be dry after cooking. Simply add more water and steam on low heat. Stir the rice to give it a little fluffiness. Let it remain on low heat for 5 minutes.
Time For A New Pot
It could be the first time you’re hearing this, but are you cooking your rice in the right spot? Factually the weight of a pot has a lot to do with the cooking results of rice. If the pot is too thin as in very light, this simply means less steam and less steam leads to uncooked rice with parts being hard and soft.
The heavier the pot the more evenly steamed rice you’ll get. Think about investing in a rice cooker. Rice cookers are heat-regulated and are designed just for cooking rice. Otherwise, think about a pot with a havier material like Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven.
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