Slow-cooking your rice can make a huge difference

The origins of cooking are not precise. Early humans are said to use fire as a way of preparing foods. There is archaeological evidence, like ashes and burnt bones, supporting that the first cooking method was fire-roasting.

Since then, cooking methods have evolved. They have been adapted to different trends, traditions, beliefs, cultures, and environments. Nowadays, you can count almost as many techniques as there are foods in the world.

Cooking techniques

Cooking food implies applying heat to the ingredients for being edible. There are mainly two types of cooking techniques:

• Wet cooking: Use of water, any liquid, and steam to transfer heat to the food, such as boiling, poaching, braising, steaming, stewing, and simmering.

• Dry cooking: Use of hot air circulation or fat to transfer heat to the food. It includes frying, deep-frying, roasting, sauntering, searing, grilling, baking, and broiling.

The use of a specific cooking technique depends on the food and the taste you want it to have. For home cooks, cooking is a tradition: they follow the family way of preparing food. The tradition does not change, and it is passed through generations; for example, the technique used for cooking rice.

Maybe your grandmother has always cooked rice by boiling (like pasta), and every time it turned out fluffy and soft. She taught it to your mother, and then your mother passed the knowledge to you. However, it turns out that you do not get the same result, and every time you cook rice, it is a nightmare.

Fortunately for you, there are other cooking methods for improving your cooking rice skills. The idea behind cooking rice is so simple; this grain needs to absorb water to be perfectly cooked. Thus, the method you choose has to use any kind of liquid in the right amount for getting a successful rice preparation.

Rice is cooked by steaming, boiling, microwaving, and baking. You can cook rice with any of them using either water or some sort of broth (vegetable, chicken, or meat).

Besides, one extra option for you is that today cooking appliances are beyond the simple pot, pan, or saucepans.

Cook rice with ease

Nowadays, there are various types of kitchen equipment created for helping to cook anything including rice, with ease. These new appliances are designed to reduce cooking time or to highlight ingredients' flavors and taste.

If you want one of these spectacular devices for making rice like your grandma; you can find instant pots, rice cookers, and crockpots. Each one of them has its peculiarities and specific functions.

• Instant pot: It is a multi cooker that works as a slow cooker, a pressure cooker and a rice cooker. You can use it for warming, steaming, and sautéing a lot of food. Rice pudding or rice and beans are just a few dishes you can prepare on it.

• Rice cookers: It cooks rice by steaming or boiling. Once the rice is done; the cooker maintains the rice warm until you serve it. You can prepare shrimp and rice, Spanish rice, or any other rice dish.

• Crockpots: It is a type of slow cooker which uses heat to cook rice for a long period. Its cooking method consists of an even heat distribution all over its container. You can prepare delicious crockpot chicken and rice recipes such as cheese pot chicken and rice; or chicken and rice soup.

The advantages of using these kitchen appliances are countless. First, you need to determine what type of food you want and how you want to cook it. When your ideas are completely clear, you can choose the time you can spend in the kitchen and use the proper device.

Most of these appliances can either cook rice very fast or very slow. Choosing one of the options depends on the dishes you will prepare. Fast cooking is ideal for people who do not like cooking or have little time.

Slow cooking is perfect for people who decide to make the most of ingredients. When you slow-cook rice, you will end up with a soft and strong-flavored rice pot. You do not have to be worried about your cooking skills anymore; with that extra help, you can serve a delightful rice dish just like your grandma’s.