Considering rice is so accessible and adaptable into any meal, there is no question why this grain lives rent-free in everyone’s hearts. Regardless of where you are from, you must be familiar with a rice recipe and it’s maybe your own variation from a recipe known in your region. What I am trying to say is, there is no established guaranteed rice recipe, only the decades old method of cooking the grain (but even that may change from person to person, cue: boiling the rice in broth instead of water).
Being a universal ingredient, rice can be found in thousands of recipes around the world. Today, I’ll bring you not one, not two but three ways to cook your rice in the most exotic and delightful ways.
Indian rice – where it all started
India is one of rice’s biggest producers and makes for a huge part of the country’s economy. Some experts even believe that rice actually originated in India, dating back hundreds and hundreds of years. You can be sure Indians know how to make the best out of this ingredient and their recipes go from sweet to salty, steamed or fried. Try this Spicy Indian rice and give your family an explosion of flavors.
Here is what you’ll need
- 1 cup of your preferred long grain rice.
- 1 tsp. of salt.
- 2 sliced onions.
- 2 tbsp. sunflower oil (although your regular oil will work just fine).
- ½ tsp. turmeric.
- 1 cinnamon stick (or ½ tsp. of ground cinnamon).
- 6 cardamom pods.
- 1 tsp. of cumin seeds.
- 1 large handful of sultanas.
- 1 large handful of roasted cashew nuts.
How to prepare Spicy Indian rice
- In a large frying pan, fry the onions in the sunflower oil for 10-12 minutes or until they get a golden color.
- Take a saucepan and fill it with water. Bring to boil and add the teaspoon of salt, the water should be bubbling a lot.
- Add turmeric and cinnamon to the water, you can pour the rice now. Stir once and then turn the heat down a little, this will allow the water to boil steadily, but not forcefully.
- Leave to boil uncovered and without stirring for 10 minutes, this will give us a sticky rice texture.
- Use a spoon to lift and try a grain or two. If they’re too crunchy, cook for another minute and try again. We look for a tender grain but leaving a bite to it.
- Finish by draining the rice into a large strainer and rinse by pouring over a pot of hot water.
- Crush the seeds of the cardamom pods and add them into the onions with the cumin seeds we prepared earlier. Fry for a bit.
- Throw in the sultanas and roasted cashew nuts, now, add the drained rice.
This savory rice goes great with curry and pairs wonderfully with grilled meat or fish.
A Thai twist – Mango Sticky Rice
Just like in India, rice has a great significance for Thai people, not only for its role in Thai culture but because of its importance in the cultivation and exportation of the grain, considered the second largest in the world. You can be sure they have a rice recipe for every season, including desserts. Check this delicious Mango and rice recipe to share with the little ones.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups of short grain rice.
- 1⅓ cups of well-stirred unsweetened coconut milk.
- ⅓ cup and 3 tbsp of sugar.
- ¼ tsp of salt.
- 1 tbsp of lightly toasted sesame seeds.
- 1 large mango (peeled and cut into thin slices).
How to prepare Thai Mango Sticky Rice
- You must have had your rice rinsed and left to soak in cold water overnight.
- Drain rice and place in a saucepan of simmering water. Cover the pan with a kitchen towel and a lid for 30 to 40 minutes to steam the rice (check water level occasionally, add more water if needed).
- In the meantime, boil the coconut milk in a small bowl and add the sugar and salt. Stir until sugar dissolves and remove from heat. Keep warm.
- Transfer the rice to a bowl and pour in the coconut-milk mixture, stir. Leave it covered for 30 minutes or until the mixture is absorbed. Leave resting at room temperature for about two hours.
- To serve, sprinkle the sesame seeds and mango on top.
This dessert will keep your kiddos happy in a warm summer!
For our final rice recipe, let’s get back to the Western world. Try this Spanish rice and brighten up your week! https://successrice.com/recipes/spanish-rice/.
