How does an excess of cooking water dry out

Adding too much water to cook rice can be done by simmering over low heat, pouring out excess water, or adding absorbent ingredients to make the rice dry. The excessive moisture of rice is mainly related to factors such as improper water control, differences in water absorption of rice varieties, or insufficient sealing of the pot.

Slow cooking over low heat is a common method for dealing with excessive moisture. Open the lid of the pot and turn it to the minimum heat to allow the excess water to evaporate slowly. During this period, use chopsticks to poke holes on the surface of the rice to help steam out. This method is suitable for cooking rice in electric rice cookers or clay pots. It is important to flip the rice every few minutes to prevent the bottom from burning. If a gas stove is used, the rice can be transferred to a flat bottomed pan for dilution and heating, resulting in higher evaporation efficiency.

Pouring out excess water is suitable for situations where there is a severe excess of water and the rice grains have not fully expanded. Tilt the rice cooker and scoop out the surface rice soup with a clean spoon, being careful not to damage the structure of the rice grains. When the remaining moisture is low, a small amount of salt can be sprinkled to absorb residual moisture, but the amount should be controlled to avoid excessive saltiness. This method has a better effect on indica rice, while glutinous rice may affect its taste due to its strong stickiness. Adding water absorbing ingredients can quickly improve the texture of rice and increase its nutrition. Tear clean seaweed, seaweed, or baked dried mushrooms into pieces and mix them with rice, utilizing their high water absorption properties to absorb excess moisture. Oatmeal, millet and other miscellaneous grains can also be directly sprinkled on the surface, left to stand for a few minutes, and stirred evenly. These ingredients not only regulate humidity, but also enrich the flavor layers of rice, making them suitable for people who pursue nutritional balance.

It is recommended to use a standard measuring cup to control the water rice ratio for daily cooking. For japonica rice, the ratio is usually 1:1.2, for indica rice it is 1:1.5, and for new rice, the amount of water can be reduced appropriately. After washing the rice, soak it for 20 minutes to allow the rice grains to fully absorb water. When cooking, check whether the sealing ring of the pot lid is aging. If there is often excessive water, you can choose an electric rice cooker with a water volume scale or use it in conjunction with a steamer. When adjusting dietary habits, be careful to avoid the potential impact of long-term consumption of soft rice on gastrointestinal digestive function.