Get perfectly delicious Puerto Rican White Rice that will be fluffy every time.
Puerto Rican white rice is just rice that has been cooked perfectly until fluffy and not gluey. Season to perfection and so good you can eat it by itself. Rice is the 3rd largest crop in the world and this should not come as a surprise because it is a staple food in many places of the world such as the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The USA is starting to pick up on the love of rice. Some people think that making white rice on the stove is super complicated but I assure you it is not. With this recipe you will make rice that is perfectly cooked all the time so you can ditch the instant rice packets.
What kind of rice is white rice?
White rice originally starts as brown rice. The rice grows as seeds in a stalk and after growing for about 150 days the rice seeds are harvested. Then they go through machines where the husk is removed. Last, the rice is milled to remove the bran which is the outer layer that makes the rice brown. The final product is white rice.
Do I need to wash rice?
There seems to be a lot of controversy about whether or not to wash your rice before cooking. Not only do I wash my rice but in many parts of the world such as the Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia do. The first reason to wash your rise is to remove any possible dirt or any creepy little crawlers like the weevils. Secondly, rinsing your rice helps remove some starch on the surface and this is very beneficial if you’re tracking your carbs.
Do I need a special pan?
In short, you don’t need a special pan to make rice. But there are some differences you must know. First, in Latin cultures, calderos are used to cook rice which in essence are cast aluminum pots with lids. The difference between this and other pans is that the rice at the bottom gets crispy and a lot of people like it. If you don’t have one or simply want to avoid having rice stuck at the bottom of your pan you can use a non-stick one. The only thing you must have is a lid so you can concentrate the steam inside.
What to serve white rice with?
As simple as it may sound, one of the best combinations to have this Puerto Rican white rice with is a fried egg. So simple yet so amazingly good. Rice is a most next to a sancocho. Another great side to a steamy bowl of rice is Puerto Rican habichuelas guisadas or stewed beans and a few tostones. One more dish to recommend as a side has to be eggplant with salted codfish. The oil and juices from the eggplant serves as a sauce for your rice and is something you must try yourself. In reality you can have white rice with corn, with sweet fried plantains or any vegetable you like. Also any protein goes great.
How to store
Rice freezes very well and is the perfect food for meal prepping. To freeze, simply store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Don’t forget to date them and use them before 3 months. To store in the fridge again just use an airtight container or a freezer bag and keep for 3-4 days.
How to reheat rice?
To reheat the rice, what I like to do is take a paper towel and damp it. Place it over my rice and heat it. The towel will do 2 things. First, it will make sure your rice doesn’t dry up more while heating. Secondly, it will create steam and will heat the rice heat evenly and retain its moisture. To reheat on the pan just add one tablespoon of water and warm it up on low heat for about 8 minutes.
How cook rice perfectly every time
1. First, wash your rice either in a bowl or in a strainer under cold water. This is to make sure there is no debris on the rice and also to remove some starch.
2. Add water and oil to your pan. Season your water just like you would for your pasta because no one wants bland rice. Your heat should be set to high. When your water starts to boil add your rice and cover.
3. Cook your rice for about 8 minutes or until no water is left.
4. Now lower your heat to medium and cook for 14 minutes. Turn off the heat and you can enjoy it right away.
Ingredients
1. Rice– I used medium grain rice but you can also use long grain.
2. Water– I used 2 cups of water.
3. Oil– I used 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil but you can use coconut or olive oil.
4. Salt– I always season my water with ½ teaspoon of salt. But you can skip it if you need to.
Puerto Rican White Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup medium grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Wash your rice to remove any dirt.
- In a small pan with a lid add your water, oil and salt. Set to high heat and bring to a boil.
- Once your water is boiling add your rice, stir and put on the lid. Cook the rice for 8 minutes or until there is no liquid left around the rice.
- After the water has evaporated fluff your rice. Lower the heat to medium and cook for 14 minutes. Turn off heat , serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Make sure you use the correct size pan for the amount of rice you’re making. Don’t use a big pot to make only 1 cup of rice. Instead, use a small pot with a lid.
- Don’t lift your lid for the first 8 minutes of cooking your rice. The steam inside is very important to guarantee the cooking.
- Very important that you do not leave your rice for too long after all the water evaporates because it will have a smoky flavor. Trust me, not the good kind. It will make it taste bad.
- If you find your rice is hard you can fix it by adding 2 tablespoons of water at a time and leaving it over medium heat for 4 more minutes.
- On the other hand if your rice is too wet then there’s no salvation for that.
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