So that never faulus: my secrets for a perfect white rice (and what to do with rice!)

Hello everyone, here's Paulina, your faithful companion! There's something I've always wanted to make: a rice dish , and guess what: TODAY IS THE DAY.

It turns out that on YouTube I'm doing something I've wanted to do for many years: a very complete RICE SERIES, and in the first episode I show you how to make white rice , the simplest of all, the most common rice, but the noblest.

I'm also dedicated to answering biggest questions about white rice : How do I know when rice is ready? Does rice go under the broiler? What can I do if I have leftover rice that isn't salad or croquettes? Paulina asks, but she also answers. Let's get started!

About White Rice

In this great series on rice , the first thing I'm going to do is teach you this foolproof rice technique and tell you all the secrets to making sure your white rice doesn't turn out lumpy , so it's nice and fluffy and tasty.

We'll also cover the key points for measuring rice so you don't accidentally cook rice for 82 people, and so they never end up with raw rice again. You'll find it all here: a complete beginner's guide to rice .

Mastering the Art of Basic White Rice: How to Make White Rice, a Foolproof Guide

white rice with almost any type of rice. Well, not with black rice—that's a different story! You can use double Carolina rice , the kind that doesn't overcook or stick together (parboiled), or another type of white rice .

I chose the most common, best-selling, long grain fine rice . As its name suggests, it's a fine grain; not plump or round, just long and fine. Ideal for loose rice!

The right measure for perfect rice: How many people eat a cup of rice?

This is the million-dollar question. Before you continue reading, let me know in the comments if you know how many people you think a cup of rice serves. And what? Have you commented yet?

• The answer: one cup of uncooked rice is enough for two heavy eaters, or even three. Seems like that's not enough? I don't care! Trust me.
  rice is calculated like this: one "pocillo" (a small coffee cup) per person.

When you start cooking, you see that tiny amount and think, "This won't be enough," and you end up making enough rice for a battalion. Manage that mentality! That's the amount, it'll be fine, I promise!

How to cook perfect rice step by step: Paulina's method for easy rice

This is how I make it, and it's a "liar" white rice because it has a hint of flavor. This is my basic white rice recipe:

The flavor base (optional, but recommended!):

• In a pot, a splash of oil.
• We added minced garlic. You know we never miss an opportunity to eat something with garlic here.
• Gently brown the garlic until it begins to turn yellow. Be careful not to burn it, or it will ruin the dish!

Pearly rice:

• We add the rice (the cup we measured).
• Stir well with the oil and garlic. Until when? Until the grains are transparent and shiny. This is called pearling the rice.

The extra touch of flavor (also optional):

• You can add homemade broth or just salt.
• Want it more yellow? You can add turmeric, rice seasoning, saffron... whatever comes to mind. But since this chapter is about white rice, we'll keep it simple.

The magic ratio of water:

• Generally, for fine long grain rice, it is two parts water to one part rice.
• My trick: I add a little less water to the second measure. That is, one cup of rice, one cup of water, and the second cup of water with "two fingers" less.

Cooking: Patience and precision in how to cook rice

• Add the water. Stir well. Increase the heat and bring to a boil.
• Stir only once! This is key.
• Once it boils, we lower the heat to minimum and cover the pot.
• Let it simmer gently until all the water is gone. Don't touch it, don't add more water, don't do anything.

How to know the proportion for other rices? 

Be careful! Each rice has its own ratio. Yamaní rice , for example, has almost a 3:1 ratio (three parts water to one part rice). Rices like jasmine can have a 1:1 ratio.

It's always a good idea to check the package or Google it. Or... follow this wonderful series of rice recipes! Subscribe, dads.

3 Common Mistakes When Cooking White Rice and How to Avoid Them

1. Don't cook it like noodles: Some people boil water, throw in the rice, and stir it in. No! You can't make white rice like that. (Although in this video, we'll make a similar preparation for rice soup.)
2. Don't strain the rice: It'll lose all its flavor! That's why it's important to add just the right amount of water.
3. Don't add too much water: It's important that you add the correct amount of water from the start, which is why we're teaching you how to do it here, and then don't touch it.

The secret of rice hydration

Think of rice as a sponge : it hydrates with whatever you put in it. If you add rich water (a broth), it will hydrate with that flavor. If you add water and salt, it will be more neutral, with the flavor of white rice .

The final rest: the master touch for perfect rice

Even after turning off the heat, the rice will continue to cook with the residual heat and steam inside the pot. If you're going to let it sit for a while to eat, take it out a little earlier.

If you take it out and see that it's perfect, transfer it immediately to a plate or bowl so it doesn't stay in contact with the hot pot and overcook. This way, you'll have spectacular white rice .

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and on YouTube that I upload new recipes every week ( click here )

Beyond Basic White Rice: Uses for White Rice (4 Rice Recipes for Beginners)

Now that you know how to cook perfect white rice , let's have fun! There are so many uses for white rice.

White rice with butter and cheese (the famous “sick person’s rice” but with lots of flavor!):

1. This is an upgrade from white rice , the kind they give you when your stomach hurts. But it's always delicious! One of those easy rice recipes that saves you.
2. To the same preparation (perhaps with “a few fingers” more water to make it creamier), at the end, while the rice is still hot, they add butter and diced cheese – a cheese that melts well.
3. Cover for a minute to melt the cheese . If you want, add more cheese so it drips.
4. And if your stomach doesn't hurt... BOOM! Ham. This stuff with ham drives me crazy. I don't know if it's my childhood, but it blows my mind.

Simple and Comforting: Easy Rice Soup

Another classic that warms the soul, one of the quintessential rice recipes for beginners

1. In a pot on the fire, put water to eye , with a homemade broth .
2. There, add any vegetables you have at home (I used chopped carrots) and any seasoning you want (I used turmeric, you can use paprika or nothing at all).
3. When the broth boils , add a handful of rice .
4. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the flavor of the broth.
5. Serve piping hot! The carrots are cooked but still crunchy, and the chopped parsley on top gives it a spectacular touch. One of the simplest rice recipes, and it's delicious.

Elegant rice timbale (this was taught to me by Benja Amadeo):

• Your aunt's famous rice timbale . I'm not a big fan, but Benjamín Amadeo showed me a version with a poached egg inside. When you crack it open and the yolk comes out, it's a beautiful thing!

Homemade Poke Bowl (Cool Rice Salad):

• The misnamed "pokebowl" is basically a salad with white rice . Use your perfect white rice as a base and add whatever you like best: fresh fish, avocado, cucumber, tomato, corn —whatever you like!

Other ideas with white rice: what to do when I have leftover rice?

• Rice and Legume Vegetarian Burgers: Mix half cooked rice and half cooked legumes (lentils, chickpeas), herbs, and pureed vegetables. The rice helps keep them crispy and crunchy. A cup of each makes about five burgers.

• Rice and Parmesan Crackers: Leftover rice? Perfect! Mix it with an equal amount of grated Parmesan cheese and some fresh herbs (I used oregano). Flatten them on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crispy. You'll never know what they are!

• Crispy Baked Rice (for use as a snack or topping): Cooked white rice, paprika, hot paprika, garlic powder, salt, a drizzle of olive oil (lots of seasoning!). Spread on a baking sheet. Another version: add soy sauce, salt, a little sugar, garlic powder, and sesame seeds. Bake at a low temperature until crispy. Divine!

And that's it for today with this first installment on how to cook rice . Basic! But there are many more chapters to come in this series of rice recipes : rice , risotto, everything! If you want to see them, you can follow me on Instagram and YouTube .

Bye, I love you all so much!