Best 5 Steamed White Rice Recipes

PERSIAN STEAMED WHITE RICE (CHELO)

Steps:

• To cook the rice
• 1. Fill a large nonstick saucepan (at least 6 quarts) with 12 cups water; add oil and salt. Cover and bring to a brisk boil over high heat.
• 2. Add the rice and continue cooking over medium to high heat, stirring occasionally.
• 3. After 3-5 minutes, use a slotted spoon to scoop some grains from the water. Break one grain in half to make sure it is "al dente" (see above). Turn off the heat and pour rice into the colander to drain; set aside.
• To steam and make tadig
• 1. Place the empty 6-quart saucepan back onto the stovetop over medium heat. Add 1/4-inch canola oil and 2 tablespoons water. Add turmeric and/or saffron powder. Stir together.
• 2. Add the drained rice and shape it into a pyramid. Cover the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes until rice begins to steam.
• 3. Uncover and place 2 paper towels (one on top of the other) over the rice. The ends will extend outside the pot. Replace the lid tightly.
• 4. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes. Turn off the heat and tilt the lid until ready to serve.
• 5. With a wide spatula, scoop the rice from the pot, making sure not to disturb the crust (tadig) that formed on the bottom of the pot. Serve the rice on a flat serving platter, mounding it into the shape of a pyramid. Turn the tadig out onto a flat serving platter by inverting the pot, as you would invert a cake pan, or cut it into pieces and serve around the rice.
• Optional garnish: Saffron Rice
• 1. To make saffron water, mix together 1 teaspoon crushed saffron threads and 1/4 cup hot water. Steep for a few minutes, until the water becomes yellow.
• 2. Mix saffron water with steamed white rice. Use this intensely yellow rice to make designs on the Chelo.
• To reheat this rice:
• Pour 1/2 cup water mixed with 1/4 cup canola oil onto the pyramid in a large pot. You can also freeze this rice, as long as you do not stir it until it is completely defrosted. You can even cook it, freeze it, and later steam it as it defrosts. I know I will have to spend time in "rice hell" for admitting to freezing Persian rice, but it is worth it to make my life easier!

STEAMED WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Wash rice: Place rice in a large bowl. Fill bowl with cold water to cover rice. Massage the rice a bit, then carefully pour out most of the water, reserving the rice with your hand. Repeat this process 7-10 times. At first the water will be cloudy with starch, but gradually the water will become less cloudy. You'll know the rice is sufficiently rinsed when the water is translucent (not completely clear). Strain the rice in a colander and let it air-dry, 15 minutes. The rice will absorb some of the water and the grains will be about 20% larger than their original size; the rice will also look whiter and more opaque. After the resting period, the rice should be almost dry.
• Cook rice (with electric rice cooker): Put rice and water in the rice cooker. Close the lid and let rest, 5 minutes. Then switch the rice cooker to "Cook." (If your rice cooker has a "Quick Cook" setting, use it; the regular setting incorporates a soaking period that is not necessary here.) The cooking should take 15-20 minutes. After the "On" button clicks off, it's done cooking, but leave the rice to steam in the cooker for another 15 minutes before lifting the lid.
• Cook rice (with pot): If you don't have a rice cooker, put the rice and water in a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid. Cover and place a heavy weight (such as a stone pestle) on top of the lid. Bring the water to a boil over high heat; then immediately reduce the heat to low. Let the rice cook until all the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the pot rest and continue steaming for 10 minutes before lifting the lid.
• Serve rice: Once the rice is ready, use a flat wooden spatula or plastic rice scoop to gently fold and fluff the rice up from the bottom of the pot, avoiding any grains that may have stuck to the bottom. (This should not be a problem if you're using a rice cooker, since most are nonstick.) Gently continue fluffing so that the rice from the bottom of the cooker or pot is well mixed with the upper layers. You are releasing some of the excess moisture and cooling off the rice as you do this. The rice should be slightly sticky and each grain should be intact, cooked all the way through with a consistent texture. Serve right away, or put the lid back on to keep warm for up to one day.
• How to store rice: While the rice is still warm, place 1½ cup portions into separate zip-top bags and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to use, microwave for 1 minute to have steaming hot rice again.

STEAMED ASIAN WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Rinse rice in a fine-mesh sieve until water is almost clear. Drain well and transfer to a 3-quart heavy saucepan. Add water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover tightly with lid, then reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Gently fold rice from top to bottom with a rubber spatula before serving.

STEAMED WHITE RICE

Steps:

• Rinse rice well in a sieve under cold running water, then drain well. Transfer to a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan and add 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover pan with a tight-fitting lid. Cook 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Stir gently with a heatproof rubber spatula, folding from top to bottom of pan.

FOAMY WHITE STEAMED RICE AND BEAN DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• 1. Pick clean and wash the beans. Put them in a bowl and add water to cover by at least 2 inches, and let them soak for 8 hours. Drain and rinse the beans.
• 2. Add the beans and 1 1/3 cups water to the container of a food processor or blender and puree them. The puree should be extremely smooth, light, and fluffy. Transfer to a large bowl.
• 3. Line a sieve with a double layer of cheesecloth and put the cream of rice cereal in it. Hold the sieve under cold running water right in the kitchen sink. Rinse the cereal until no clinging starch is remaining and the water begins to run clear through the cheesecloth. Squeeze the rice cereal thoroughly of all moisture and add it to the bean paste. Beat the bean and rice mixture thoroughly. Add salt if desired. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place it in a warm place for 8 to 12 hours to ferment the batter.
• 4. When you are ready to make the dumplings, stir the baking soda gently into the batter, using a rubber spatula. (Do not overblend as the batter must remain foamy and airy for the dumplings to come out light.) Let the batter rest for 4 to 5 minutes.
• 5. While the batter is resting, cut pieces of cheesecloth into neat rounds or squares to fit the depressions of the idlee dumpling racks. Each piece of cheesecloth lining can be used twice. Therefore you will need half as many pieces for lining as the number of dumplings. The cheesecloth pieces should be slightly larger than the depressions so that they overhang by about 1/3 inch.
• 6. Line the dumpling racks with the pieces of cheesecloth. Brush them lightly with oil. Bring water to a boil in the idlee steamer, a pressure cooker, or a 6- to 8-quart sauce pot in which the idlee racks fit.
• 7. Spoon about 1/4 to 1/3 cup batter into each lined depression of the rack. Attach the racks and place in the steamer.
• 8. Steam the dumplings for 12 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into them comes out clean. Remove the racks from the steamer apparatus and separate the dumpling racks. Pick up each dumpling with the cloth and gently peel away the cheesecloth. Place the steamed dumplings in another steamer or a covered dish to keep them warm.
• 9. Turn the cheesecloth pieces over and line the racks with the smooth reverse side up. Brush lightly with oil. Proceed with the remaining batter the same way.
• To serve, place the dumplings (2 per person) in a rimmed soup plate or a shallow bowl about 5 inches in diameter. Make an indentation in the center of the dumpling with your index finger or with the back of a wooden spoon. Pour about 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil in the depression and over the dumplings.