Introduction:
It is not common to find rice in cultures where it is not used as a main ingredient in almost every meal as a side dish or just as a complement to the masala. Nevertheless, much as one may attempt to achieve beautiful rice by just boiling it in water the attempt will end up in unnecessary failures. The reason behind this is that there are certain additions that enhance the flavor, making it more like restaurant style rice. In this preparation, you will find that I will tell you how hotels take rice from mere sides to fancy garnished dish fit for a king.
Ingredients:
1 cup of long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine recommended)2 cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
1 tablespoon of butter or olive oil
1 onion shallots, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: a pinch of saffron or turmeric for color and flavor
Fresh herbs (e.g. parsley or cilantro) for garnishing
Instructions:
Rinse the Rice:
To begin with, wash the rice in cold water and continue rinsing until thewater is clear. This will prevent excess starch from making the rice sticky.
Saute the Garlic or Onions:
Place medium saucepan over medium heat, and add butter or olive oil on it. Once the butter has melted, add the chopped onion and fry on a gentle heat for about five minutes or until translucent and soft. Add garlic, heating it for a further one to two minutes until fragrant.
Toast the Rice
Put the rinsed rice in a saucepan alongside the fried onions and fried garlic. As a variation, rice can be stirred continuously for about 2-3 minutes to allow it a light toast. This also helps in enhancing the nutty flavor of the rice and ensures that it does not get soft and mushy.
Add Broth and Seasoning
Chicken or vegetable stock is added to the mixture, and other ingredients such as bay leaf, salt, pepper, and saffron or turmeric (if any) are added. Follow by mixing all the ingredients and bringing the contents to the boil.
Simmer the Rice
As soon as the broth is brought to the boiling point, the flame is reduced to minimum, a lid placed on the saucepan, and the rice is left to gently simmer. It will take about 15-18 minutes and all the liquid must be absorbed and the rice must be soft.
Let It Rest
Once the rice is done cooking, turn off the heat and let the rice rest covered for 5 minutes. Steaming of this type leads to a more fluffy and soft rice.
Fluff and Serve
Finally, remove the bay leaf and using a fork, remove the rice from the grain and decorate with some herbs. Enjoy the deliciously flavored rice as they serve it in hotels.
Hints for Success
Use broth instead of water: One of the easiest ways to enhance the rice is by using broth instead of plain water to cook it. It does not lead to bland rice as it infuses flavor and richness.
Do Not Forget the Aromatic Spices: No any preparation will be perfect without the use of these ingredients. Shallots or even ginger may be used if necessary.
Use The Right Rice: For this recipe, the best option is long grain variety rice such as basmati or jasmine since they do not clump.
Health Benefits:
Many Asian dishes include rice broth and garnishes which are particularly healthy and satisfying as a food item. Carbohydrates that rice offer are crucial for energy. Likewise, by using either chicken or vegetable broth, you bring in extra salts proteins vitamins and minerals. Herbs and spices are a secretly added ingredient which gives taste to the impacted dish without significantly increasing calorie content.
Nutritional Information: (Per serving)
Calories: 180
Protein: 4g
Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 1g
Sodium: 250mg
(Note: Nutritional values can vary depending on the type of broth and other used ingredients.)
Variations and Substitutions:
Herbed Rice: Use fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary as cooking ingredients to corn to have herb rice.
Spiced Rice: For deliciousness, add any spices, for instance compose and nutmeg, tussie mussie, etc.