How to stew rice that is fragrant and soft

The key to making braised rice fragrant and soft lies in the ratio of rice to water, soaking time, and temperature control. There are mainly five core processes: rice selection, rice washing, soaking, water quantity, and stewing.

1. Rice Selection

Choose fresh japonica rice or Northeastern rice, which have plump grains and moderate starch content. Aged rice is prone to yellowing and has poor water absorption. Mixing new rice with aged rice can affect its taste. If pursuing a special flavor, a small amount of glutinous rice or purple rice can be added, but the proportion should not exceed 20% of the total amount.

2. When washing rice [SEP], gently stir with cold water 2-3 times. Excessive rubbing will damage the surface nutrients of the rice grains. It is recommended to use filtered water or mineral water for water quality, as chlorine gas in tap water may produce odors. After washing, let it stand and drain for 10 minutes, allowing the surface moisture of the rice grains to evaporate naturally.

3. Soak

Soak for 20 minutes in summer and extend to 40 minutes in winter. Maintaining a water temperature of around 30 ℃ can activate amylase activity, but exceeding 50 ℃ can cause gelatinization of the surface layer of rice grains. It is recommended to use ceramic or glass materials for soaking containers to avoid oxidation reactions in metal vessels.

4. Water Quantity

The water level of a regular rice cooker should be 1-1.5 centimeters above the rice surface, and an additional 0.5 centimeters of water is required for cooking in a clay pot. If the water absorption rate of new rice is low, it can be reduced appropriately, while brown rice should be adjusted at a ratio of 1:1.8. Adding a few drops of cooking oil or half a spoonful of white vinegar can enhance the glossiness of rice.

5. After boiling, immediately reduce the heat and keep the lid slightly open to release steam. After the electric rice cooker trips, continue to simmer for 15 minutes. The cast iron pot needs to be heated to the remaining heat before simmering. Before turning off the heat, washed bamboo leaves or corn husks can be added to enhance the fragrance, but spice ingredients need to be removed before braising.

Braised rice should be immediately loosened to dissipate heat and avoid clumping at the bottom. Leftover food can be packaged and frozen for daily use. When reheating, sprinkle a small amount of water and heat it in the microwave over high heat. Cooking with grains or beans rich in vitamin B can enhance the nutritional value and increase the sweetness of rice through amino acid complementarity. For those with weak gastrointestinal function, it is recommended to extend the soaking time to 45 minutes to fully gelatinize the starch and make it easier to digest and absorb.