Since brown rice is a healthier alternative to white rice, it is a staple for many homes. However, because of its inherent earthy flavor, some people could find it bland and unappealing. The good news is that brown rice can be flavorfully seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices. You can improve the flavor of brown rice and turn it into a delectable addition to any meal by knowing how to season brown rice. We’ll provide you with tips for seasoning brown rice in this blog article and give you some suggestions for herbs and spices to use.
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What is brown rice?
Despite sharing a similar beginning with white rice, different types of brown rice have different milling processes. The underlying bran layer of brown rice is left intact, just the outer husk is removed, giving brown rice its brown color (ivory white).
what is brown rice
In addition to color, brown rice variants differ from white rice in terms of their nutritional profiles, aromas, and textures. This is true even within individual types of brown rice.
How to cook brown rice
So how to cook brown rice? There are six basic steps to cook brown rice that you can follow:
Step 1:
It’s crucial to rinse the brown rice first before boiling it. Any dirt or debris that might be present on the rice grains is removed by rinsing them. One cup of brown rice should be rinsed for about 30 seconds in a fine-mesh strainer. It’s crucial to stir the rice with your fingers when rinsing in order to get rid of any dirt or debris. Drain any extra water from the strainer after rinsing the rice.
Step 2:
Measuring the water comes after the rice has been rinsed. Add the washed brown rice and 2 cups of water to a medium pot. To improve the flavor of the rice, you can also add a dash of kosher salt. Accurate water measurement is crucial to ensuring that the rice is cooked just right and is neither too dry nor too moist.
Step 3:
Rice needs to be simmered after that. Bring the water to a boil in the saucepan by setting it over medium-high heat. As the water begins to boil, lower the heat to low and put a closely fitting lid on the saucepan. 30 minutes or so should be sufficient for the rice to absorb all the water. The rice cooks uniformly and soaks up all the water when simmered over low heat.
Step 4:
Once all the water has been absorbed, turn off the heat and let the pan sit there with the cover on for about 10 minutes. This guarantees that the rice is cooked uniformly and enables the rice to absorb any remaining liquid. The rice becomes fluffier and simpler to serve when left sit.
Step 5:
Remove the lid after 10 minutes, fluff the rice with a ladle or chopsticks, and serve. The grains of rice are separated and kept from clumping by fluffing. At this point, you can also taste the rice and adjust the salt if necessary.
Which seasoning should you add to rice?
There are many seasonings that will make your brown rice a delicious addition to any meal. Here are the list of condiment that can be adaptable in brown rice that we have collected.
Which-seasoning-should-you-add-to-rice
- Coconut Milk
Rice cooked with coconut milk has a rich, sweet flavor that goes especially well with basmati or jasmine rice.
- Sauce soy
Soy sauce is a staple in Asian cooking and is the ideal spice for Asian-inspired rice meals like sushi and stir-fries.
- Beef soup, or vegetable broth
Your rice will taste flavorful and pair well with practically any dish if you add broth to it. When making rice for soups or stews, it works wonders.
- Seeds, sesame
Rice can benefit from the flavor and texture that sesame seeds can give.
- Herbs
Feel free to try out different combinations as there are so many different herbs that may be used to season rice such as thyme, sage, rosemary, turmeric, ginger,
Tips for choosing seasoning for brown rice
Adding ginger and soy sauce to a dish with an Asian flavor might be a nice idea. Sesame seeds or truffle butter can be a wonderful choice if you’re searching for a more opulent flavor. It’s also crucial to think about the other components in your recipe and how they will taste when paired with the seasonings you select.
Tips for choosing seasoning for brown rice
For instance, the flavors may already be extremely powerful if you are cooking with tomatoes or herbs like cilantro and basil. Consider using a milder spice like parsley or rosemary. In the end, it comes down to trying out various combinations to see which suits your needs the most.
2 ways to season brown rice
There are two simple methods to season brown rice that you can easily follow.
Frying brown rice with the additional ingredient
Put the cooked rice in a bowl and add the seasoning ingredients. 15 mL (1 tablespoon) of soy sauce, 2.5 mL (0.5 teaspoons) of dried basil, 1.2 mL to 2.5 mL (0.25 teaspoon to 0.5 teaspoons) of ground ginger, and 0.62 mL (0.125 teaspoons) of cayenne pepper are all included.
Before fluffing the rice with a fork, cover it and allow it to settle for 5 minutes. Depending on your preferences and the type of dish you’re making, you can additionally season your rice with other herbs and spices. While ground spices might improve the flavor of your rice, whole spices will provide a more delicate flavor. A bay leaf can also lend an earthy flavor to your rice meal that goes well with most rice dishes.
Cooking brown rice with a pot
There is no need to cook brown rice first if you using this method. You can mix brown rice with the ingredient and cook them at the same time.
Butter, oil, and bouillon cube should be added to a skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the rice after stirring the mixture until the cube dissolves. Before adding the water, cover the rice with the oil mixture. After vigorously boiling the mixture, turn the heat down to low.
How to season brown rice
Whether you use quick-cooking or regular rice, let the rice soak up the water as directed on the rice packaging. Following that, fluff the rice and season with a little salt and pepper, if preferred. Adding dried parsley flakes can also give the dish a beautiful pop of color.
If you have any question , don’t hesitate to leave a comment. Our experts from K-agriculture which is one of the biggest factories in agriculture in Vietnam will help you with further explanation.
