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Cooking rice is a simple task, but if you’re just using water, you’re missing out on the secret that hotels and restaurants use to make rice taste rich, fluffy, and delicious.
By adding a few key ingredients to the cooking process, you can elevate your rice from average to restaurant-quality. This is the secret that hotels use to make perfect rice every time.
The Secret to Perfect Rice
Use broth instead of water
One of the biggest secrets to delicious rice is to cook it in broth (chicken, vegetable, or meat) instead of just water. The broth adds depth and richness, infusing the rice with delicious flavors. This simple change makes a huge difference in the flavor and turns basic rice into a delicious side dish.
How to do it:
Replace water with broth in a 1:1 ratio. If a recipe calls for 2 cups of water, use 2 cups of broth instead.
Add a little butter or oil
Hotels often add a small amount of butter or olive oil to their rice to give it more texture and richness. This also helps keep the grains separate and prevents the rice from sticking together.
Add a tablespoon of butter or olive oil per cup of rice when you start cooking.
Include aromatics
To further enhance the flavor, hotels often sauté aromatic plants such as garlic, onions, or leeks before cooking the rice. These aromatics give off a wonderful aroma and add layers of flavor to the dish.
In a pot, sauté minced garlic, onions, or leeks in a little butter or oil until soft and fragrant. Then add the rice and stock and cook as usual.
A pinch of salt or spices
A pinch of salt or some spices such as bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, or cloves can enhance the flavor of the rice. Adding these little touches can transform the rice from bland to full of flavor.
Add a pinch of salt and any spices you like to the stock before cooking. For a mild but aromatic flavor, try adding a bay leaf or cinnamon stick to the pot.
Additional hotel secrets for the perfect texture of rice
Rinsing rice before cooking removes excess starch, which helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky. Most hotels and restaurants rinse the rice until the water runs clear to ensure a more tender result.
Place the rice in a fine mesh strainer, then rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear.
Steam after cooking After cooking the rice, leave it for 5 to 10 minutes with the lid on before serving. This allows the rice to finish steaming and absorb any remaining moisture, resulting in perfectly tender grains.
A simple recipe for preparing delicious and fluffy rice
Ingredients: