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Easy Cook Rice? What is all that about?


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Old 27-01-2010, 20:39
burton07
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I bought Easy Cook rice by mistake in Tesco. Anyhoo I did it tonight because we had chili Con Carne. The cooking instructions are exactly the same as ordinary rice!!!

How is it Easy cook? You have to rinse it first - same as ordinary rice, bring it to the boil - same as ordinary rice, cook for 15 minutes - same as ordinary rice and then rinse in boiling water - same as ordinary rice.

It was no easier!
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Old 27-01-2010, 20:42
fat controller
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It wasn't hard to cook though was it?
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Old 27-01-2010, 20:43
stud u like
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I've never washed rice.
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Old 27-01-2010, 20:50
burton07
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It wasn't hard to cook though was it?
Ordinary rice isn't hard to cook! What's hard about putting rice in water, boiling it and draining it?

The majority of the worlds population do it every day.
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Old 27-01-2010, 20:53
degsyhufc
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I thought the difference was that you didn't have to thoroughly rinse the rice. The instructions may say to raise briefly, if at all, but with standard rice you are usually instructed to rinse under running water for a few minutes to get rid of all the starch.
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Old 27-01-2010, 21:13
whoever,hey
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I thought the difference was that you didn't have to thoroughly rinse the rice. The instructions may say to raise briefly, if at all, but with standard rice you are usually instructed to rinse under running water for a few minutes to get rid of all the starch.
but you dont have to.
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Old 27-01-2010, 21:30
degsyhufc
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but you dont have to.
I think it's just recommended rather than essential.

Just looked at my Madhuf Jaffrey book and the thorough rinsing of the rice is what is recommended for Basmati rice. It actually recommends to rinse, soak in changes of water then rinse again.


Had a quick google and apparently easy cook rice is rice that had been treated (parboiled) to help prevent becoming soggy and overcooked.
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Old 27-01-2010, 21:33
Orangemaid
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I've never washed rice.
no,,after its cooked , put boiling water on it, in a sieve,,It gets all the lumps out, and doesnt stick..dosent go all mushy..lol
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Old 27-01-2010, 21:33
gemma-the-husky
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its a bit dearer but in my opinion, uncle bens is the best

it has a wider ok range than most - ie 2mins ounder or over, its still good -some rices go sticky very quickly

M&S long grain is inexpensive and very good
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Old 27-01-2010, 21:45
whoever,hey
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cant say i've noticed this problem tbh.
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Old 27-01-2010, 21:56
degsyhufc
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Many people do. I hear questions on food shows about it all the time. A couple of weeks back it was a question on Ready, Steady Cook.

Obviously each chef gave a different answer/technique just to confuse things even more
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Old 27-01-2010, 22:21
KaliMist
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its a bit dearer but in my opinion, uncle bens is the best

it has a wider ok range than most - ie 2mins ounder or over, its still good -some rices go sticky very quickly

M&S long grain is inexpensive and very good
I always use Uncle Ben's rice, pour it in straight from the box and it turns out perfect every time.
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Old 27-01-2010, 22:39
Lemonhunny
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I buy easy cook basmati rice from Asda.
I never wash it, but then I never read the instructions either.

I worked for an Italian chef who told me to always buy easy cook rice - because it's easy to cook properly!

1 cup of rice, 2 cups of water, in the pan with salt to taste.

Bring to the boil, stir once, and put the lid on. Leave it to cook until the water is absorbed, and the rice is dry and fluffy on the top, then serve.

I don't know who thought up draining it, rinsing with boiling water and then serving, but they should be shot. All that does is remove every bit of flavour. And how on earth would you rinse a flavoured rice, or rice with veg and meat in it?

I've been married to a Persian man for 30 years nearly, and he's never told me I cook my rice wrongly, and I've rarely had a pot of rice fail on me.

ETA - Sorry Orangemaid - the bit about rinsing wasn't aimed at you as I've seen that method recommended in cook books, and on tv loads of times. I just think it's disgusting.
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Old 27-01-2010, 22:41
stvn758
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I prefer boil in the bag basmati, I can't even be arsed to rinse it.
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Old 27-01-2010, 23:42
burton07
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The instructions on the packet of Easy cook rice said to rinse in water before cooking and then rinse in boiling water after cooking. I do wash rice before cooking but I don't normally rinse in boiling water.
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Old 28-01-2010, 00:23
Swarfega
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I'm afraid I've fallen for microwave rice.
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Old 28-01-2010, 00:24
Mariaella
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Easycook rice has been pre-treated so that the grains dont stick together or go stodgy when cooked. I always buy easycook, it's worth the extra cost. Thy dry easycook rice is a slightly yellow colour, economy long grain rice is whiter and pearlier in appearance and is more difficult to cook successfully.
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Old 29-01-2010, 05:01
Binky Winky
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Easycook rice has been pre-treated so that the grains dont stick together or go stodgy when cooked. I always buy easycook, it's worth the extra cost. Thy dry easycook rice is a slightly yellow colour, economy long grain rice is whiter and pearlier in appearance and is more difficult to cook successfully.
My ordinary rice never goes stodgy or sticks together. Unless I forget about it and it overcooked.

I had that happen a couple of times and I chucked it away and started again.

The key to cooking rice is to keep an eye on it and nibble a few grains now and again. As soon as it's just on the cusp of going from hard to soft it's done.
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Old 29-01-2010, 16:04
degsyhufc
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I'm afraid I've fallen for microwave rice.
I sometimes do my rice in the microwave. It works for longgrain and basmati. Not sure if they are easy cook but they are supermarket own brand.

With my microwave for 1 portion
1/3 cup rice
double the amount of water
10 minutes on 70%
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Old 29-01-2010, 20:12
shackfan
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I buy Tesco basmati, rinse a couple of times and put 500 grams in a bowl sat and a stock cube, about double of water and 15 mins on full power. Scrummy.

Since I strarted rinsing it is much fluffier and lighter.
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Old 29-01-2010, 20:20
sarahcs
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I never wash rice. I heat up a little oil in the pan and put the rice in, stir it around for a minute till it's all coated. Then I put the boiling water in and cook it. Perfect, fluffy and not sticky every time!
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Old 29-01-2010, 22:57
Swarfega
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I sometimes do my rice in the microwave. It works for longgrain and basmati. Not sure if they are easy cook but they are supermarket own brand.

With my microwave for 1 portion
1/3 cup rice
double the amount of water
10 minutes on 70%
Oh, I'm talking even lower than that.

The pouches. I feel a bit unclean for telling people this.
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Old 30-01-2010, 01:20
cream cookie
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I buy easy cook basmati rice from Asda.
I never wash it, but then I never read the instructions either.

I don't know who thought up draining it, rinsing with boiling water and then serving, but they should be shot.

I've been married to a Persian man for 30 years nearly, and he's never told me I cook my rice wrongly, and I've rarely had a pot of rice fail on me.

ETA - Sorry Orangemaid - the bit about rinsing wasn't aimed at you as I've seen that method recommended in cook books, and on tv loads of times. I just think it's disgusting.
I think he might be scared to tell you for fear of being shot!!!

I use ordinary basmati, not easycook, and I rinse it with boiling water at the end, the way I was taught, and, well, if the instructions say so, as does practically every chef who might offer advice on the subject, say that's how it should be done, then who am I to denounce them for doing it wrong all this time... My rice is tasty and fluffy, not gloopy or sticky from the starch that hasn't been rinsed. I've never tried easycook rice of any sort as I have complete faith that I can cook the ordinary stuff.

Oh, I'm talking even lower than that.

The pouches. I feel a bit unclean for telling people this.
And so you should! Go and wash yourself with your name!!!
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Old 30-01-2010, 13:52
degsyhufc
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Oh, I'm talking even lower than that.

The pouches. I feel a bit unclean for telling people this.
hey, the frozen rice that takes a minute in the microwave ain't that bad either
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Old 30-01-2010, 16:00
Free as a bird
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I use very easy cook rice, just stick it in the rice cooker
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