Understanding Rice
TYPES AND CHARACTERISTIC
Regular Milled White Rice
This rice has been milled to remove the outer bran coating.
The process removes some vitamins and minerals, but it produces a
white, lighter textured product that most people prefer.
- Enriched rice has received a coating of vitamins to compensate
from some of nutrients lost in milling.
- Short-grain and medium grain rice have small, round kernels that
become sticky when cooked. They are used for such preparations
as rice pudding and rice molds.
- Long-grain rice has long, slender grains that stay separate and
fluffy when properly cooked.
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Understanding Rice (cont…)
Parboiled or Converted Rice
This is a specially processed long-grain rice. It has been partially
cooked under steam pressure, redried and then milled or polished.
This process results in a higher vitamin and mineral content.
- Parboiled rice is the most widely used in foodservice.
The grains stay firms, separate and lights and the
product holds well in the steam table without becoming
mushy or sticky.
- Converted rice takes slightly more liquid and time to
cook.
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Understanding Rice (cont…)
Instant Rice
This product has been precooked and dried so that it
can be prepared quickly.
It does not hold well after cooking and the grains
quickly lose their shape and become mushy.
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Understanding Rice (cont…)
Brown Rice
This rice has had the bran layer left on, giving it a
light brown color, slightly coarse, crunchy texture
and nutty flavor.
Brown rice is available short, medium or long grain.
Brown rice takes about twice as long to cook as white
rice.
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Understanding Rice (cont…)
Specialty Rice
A number of types or rice are used in various international cuisines.
- Arborio rice is one of several Italian varieties of a type of
short-grain rice that is essential for making the highest
quality risotto.
- Basmati rice is an extra-long grain rice widely used in India
and surrounding countries.
- Jasmine rice is a long-grain white rice from Thailand and
other parts of Southeast Asia.
- Wehani rice is another aromatic rice, red in color with a rich,
earthy flavor.
- Glutinous rice is a sweet-tasting short-grain rice that becomes
quite sticky and chewy when cooked.
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Handling and Storage
Washing
Regular milled rice should be rinsed in cold water before
boiling or steaming.
This removes the excess starch that makes rice sticky.
Converted rice and instant rice do not need to be washed.
Storage
Keep raw rice at room temperature in a dry place and in a
tightly sealed container to keep out moisture and insects.
White rice will keep for many months.
Brown rice is somewhat more perishable.
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Cooking and Preparation
In Water
The rice is poured into the pan with twice its volume of cold
water, brought to the boil and cooked with the pan covered
until all the water is absorbed.
Rice cooked in water, termed ala Creole or a l ’indienne.
Steamed
The rice previously washed in cold water, is placed in a
steamer over boiling water for 20-4- minutes (according to
the variety), sometime it is blanch before it is steam.
Steam rice is eaten plain or as garnish.
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Cooking and Preparation (cont…)
Au Gras
This method of cooking rice is used for pilaf rice, paella or
rice a la grecque; the rice is firstly gently fried in fat, then
twice its volume of stock or water is added and cooking is
continued until all liquid is absorbed.
In Milk
This is the standard way of cooking all the rice desserts.
The rice is blanched in boiling water, rinsed, drained and
cooked slowly in the milk, which may be flavored in some
way, until it attains the consistency of a creamy paste.
It is then garnished, molded or flavored in various way.
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RICE FAMILY
Basmati
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RICE FAMILY (cont…)
Converted Rice
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RICE FAMILY (cont…)
Glutinous Rice
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RICE FAMILY (cont…)
Instant Rice
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RICE FAMILY (cont…)
Jasmine Rice
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RICE FAMILY (cont…)
Wehani Rice
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RICE FAMILY (cont…)
White Rice
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RICE FAMILY (cont…)
Long-Grain Rice
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