Rice is a very common type of food, one that works perfectly with a wide range of recipes. There is a wide range of rice cooking methods. However, is it safe to cook rice in a microwave? To be honest, using a microwave is quite simple, not to mention that it will take you less time to prepare a rice meal compared to a stove or using a rice cooker. It is also important to note that you might be limited in the ways you can cook rice. For instance, you might not have a rice cooker at your disposal, and using a stove might not be your favorite way to make rice. That is where the microwave will become useful.
So, how do you cook rice in a microwave? What would you need? The only thing you will require to make rice in a microwave is the rice itself, some water, a microwave, a dishtowel, as well as an adequate microwavable bowl.
It is also important to note that the time it would take to cook rice in a microwave might depend on the microwave wattage. Microwaves with higher wattage would take less time.
The Water to Rice Ratio
Before we go any deeper, it is important to figure out the exact amount of water you should use when you are preparing rice. You need to cook the rice evenly without overcooking or undercooking. So, the amount of water you use to make that happen is very important and you should be precise in doing this.
These are the ratios that would work best when cooking rice.
If you are cooking short-grain rice, you should use 2.5 cups of water for every 2 cups of rice.
Additionally, when you are cooking 2 cups of medium grain rice, you should use 2 2/3 cups of water.
Finally, when you are cooking long-grain rice, use 3 cups of water for every 2 cups of rice.
The Chinese rule of thumb is that after you add the rice to your cooking bowl, you should add water until the water reaches the first knuckle on your finger. Your fingertips should be touching the rice’s surface. That is around one inch. This method is great if you are preparing around four servings. If you use it with larger or smaller amounts of rice, it will become less accurate.
So, how do I use a microwave rice cooker? Let us get into the set of steps you should follow to make rice with a microwave.
The 5 Easy Steps To Cook Rice in Microwave:
1. Prepare your Rice
The first step is to measure the rice you want to cook; after which you should rinse it with running water. After that, simply drain it. the next step is to put the lean rice inside the microwaveable bowl of rice and add the right amount of water to the bowl. You should ensure that the rice surface is quite level. It would be a great idea if you would use a microwaveable glass bowl.
2. Microwave Covered Rice on High
This step is simple. Just place the bowl in the microwave, set the timer to run for ten minutes, then turn the power to the highest level. The standard high power is usually ten in most microwaves.
3. Microwave Covered Rice on Medium
After the microwave runs for ten minutes, open the door and look at the rice. At this point, the rice and water should be at the same level. In case you notice that the water level is higher than the rice level, you should remove a certain amount of water so that the rice and water be at the same level.
Then, place a dish towel over the bowl, put it back in the microwave for 15 more minutes. However, you should turn the power down to a medium level. In a microwave that goes to 10, half the power would be around 5.
4. Leave it to Rest while Covered
After you microwave it for 15 minutes, allow it to rest inside the microwave. It is important to leave it covered for five minutes. So, what happens when you microwave rice? One thing that will happen is that the rice grains will start absorbing the steam that is inside the bowl. The result is that they will plump more.
5. Fluff the Rice and Serve
Finally, you will need to remove the rice from the microwave. This process should be done carefully because the rice and bowl will be at high temperatures. We recommend that you use oven mitts or some hand towels to prevent any chances of being burnt.
You should fluff the cooked rice to ensure that it is cooked evenly and nicely and then serve it immediately while it is still hot.
Some Problems You Might Note
You might notice that the grains are hard, too hard. That would mean that the rice does not have adequate water. If this is the case, you will be able to fix it. You need to add around one tablespoon to the rice, microwave it for two minutes. If it does not rectify the problem, do it again in the same intervals until it cooks properly.
Depending on the dryness of the rice, you can always add more water so that the rice cooks properly. However, it is better if you alter the water levels in your rice before starting the microwaving process.
If you notice that the rice is softer than you need it, it means that you used more water than necessary. Unfortunately, it is quite hard to fix rice that is overcooked. It would be better to use this rice for an alternative recipe. For instance, it would be great for rice pudding or porridge.
Conclusion
So, how long does it take to cook rice in a rice cooker? In most cases, it will take around 30 minutes to cook the rice to completion. Is it safe to reheat rice in a microwave? You must use a microwaveable bowl when you are reheating rice to avoid any chemicals from leaching into your food. This process of cooking rice is quite efficient and quick. You should try it out with the steps provided for the best results.
Also, read:
- Best 3–Cup Rice Cookers Reviewed
- Best 5 Rice Cookers For Oatmeal
- How To Prevent Rice From Sticking To Bottom Of Rice Cooker
Feel free to share your observation with me in the comments section!
Also, if you find the information in this post to be useful, be sure to share this post with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
