Rice & Pasta How to:
Recipes often say, ”Serve with rice” or “Serve with pasta” but do you know how to cook rice
and pasta?. Hopefully the following information will help people who are not used to being
in the kitchen.
How to cook rice:
Rice triples in bulk when it has been cooked so use at least ¼ cup uncooked rice for each
serve.
- Boiling method: Choose a saucepan large enough to hold about 5 cups of water for every cup of rice. Bring water to the boil, add rice and boil with the lid off until rice is soft (about 20 minutes depending on the type of rice). Drain and serve.
- Absorption method: Place rice into a large saucepan. Add water (hot or cold) until surface of the water is about 2 inches (5 centimetres) over the top of the rice. Leave the lid off and bring to the boil. When boiling, turn the heat down so that the water is just simmering then put the lid on. Cook for about 20 minutes or until rice is soft. All the water should be absorbed.
- Microwave method: Place rice into a large microwave safe dish or special rice cooking
container for microwave oven. Add water so that water level is about 1 inch (1.5 cm) above the surface of the rice. Cover with a lid that MUST have a vent to allow steam to escape. Cook on high for about 8 minutes. If more cooking is needed after that, turn down to moderate and cook for a couple more minutes.
Do not leave unattended while cooking. When removing lid be very careful just in case there is any built up steam. Steam burns!
Note: Already cooked rice is available in sachets from the super market. Basically, it just needs reheating. Follow instructions on the packet.
How to cook pasta: (spaghetti, macaroni, noodles)
Pasta doubles in bulk when cooked. Use about ½ cup uncooked pasta for each serve. More
if you have a good appetite for pasta.
Choose a saucepan large enough to hold about 4 cups of water for every cup of uncooked
pasta. Bring water to the boil, add the pasta and stir until water comes back to the boil. Boil
for about 15 minutes or until just tender with the lid off. Drain using a strainer or colander.
Left- over cooked rice and left- over cooked pasta can be frozen.
If freezing pasta, mix a little margarine, oil or pasta sauce through the cooked pasta before
freezing to help prevent it being a ‘gluggy pasta’ when thawed. Freeze meal size amounts in
airtight containers or freezer bags
Important: Left- over cooked rice or cooked pasta should always be refrigerated or frozen.
Never leave out at room temperature for more than one hour
