Rice is a staple in many kitchens thanks to its versatility—it pairs with chicken, beef, seafood, curries, vegetables, and an array of sauces.
Yet, for such a common ingredient, it often proves surprisingly difficult to cook to perfection.
Many home cooks run into trouble with rice, whether it's forgetting to rinse it beforehand or misjudging the water-to-rice ratio.
These missteps can result in rice that's too mushy, too dry, or unevenly cooked—all of which can spoil a meal.
Even if you follow the instructions precisely, you might still end up with a bland bowl of rice.
Food blogger Emma Christensen has shared her go-to techniques for making what she describes as “a boring pot of rice taste amazing.”
Toast the rice
Her first suggestion is to toast the rice before adding any liquid. "Toasting the dry rice grains in a little butter or olive oil before adding the water brings out their flavour and adds a fantastic nutty note in the finished dish," she explained. This works especially well with brown rice or hearty grains like barley.
Add stock
Her second tip involves incorporating stock while cooking. Instead of using only water, she recommends simmering the rice in chicken or vegetable stock—either homemade or using a stock cube. She suggests a 50/50 mix of broth and water to add a layer of flavour and richness.
Season with spices
Finally, she suggests seasoning the rice with the same spices used in the rest of your meal. Whole spices can gently infuse the rice with flavour, while ground spices create a more pronounced taste. Christensen also says that she almost always throws in a bay leaf, no matter the recipe.
By avoiding common pitfalls and applying a few clever flavour tricks, even the humblest bowl of rice can become a delicious side or main dish.
IOL Lifestyle