Easy Plain Brown Rice Recipe - Pilaf Method
Welcome Back to Love Your Food: A Simple Recipe for Brown Rice
This week on Love Your Food, we're bringing back the basics with a simple recipe for making brown rice that's sure to become a staple in your kitchen. The recipe is easy, no-fail, and makes a great base for many Chinese dishes.
The First Step: Preparing the Ingredients
We start by gathering our ingredients: brown rice, salt, and coconut oil. Yes, you read that right - coconut oil! We'll be using a little bit of oil to toast the rice before adding water, which is called the pilaf method or nut Kray. To make it even healthier, we can chill the cooked rice in the fridge overnight, which will help reduce the calorie count.
Getting Started
We begin by getting our pan nice and hot on high heat. While it's heating up, we add a little bit of coconut oil to the pan and let it melt completely. This is an important step, as you want the oil to be fully liquefied before adding the rice. Once the oil has melted, we can add the brown rice to the pan.
Toasting the Rice
We continue cooking the rice in the hot oil for a little while, just until it's well-coated with a bit of oil. Don't worry if you don't use much oil - the rice will absorb what it needs. The pilaf method is all about getting the right balance of flavors and textures, and toasting the rice is an important part of that.
Adding Salt and Water
Once the rice has been toasted in the oil, we add salt to taste and stir well to combine. After that, we add water to the pan and bring it to a boil. This is where the magic happens! As the water boils, the starches in the rice will start to break down, creating a fluffy and separate texture.
Reducing Heat and Covering
As soon as the water reaches a rolling boil, we turn down the heat to low and give everything a good stir. Then, we cover the pan with a lid and set the timer for 50 minutes. This is where patience comes in - we need to let the rice cook slowly and evenly.
Steaming and Resting
After 50 minutes have passed, we remove the pan from the heat and let it sit covered for at least 15 minutes. This is an important step, as it allows any residual moisture in the rice to be absorbed, making it even fluffier and more tender. During this time, the rice will steam and become separate, creating a perfect texture.
Fluffing and Serving
Finally, after our waiting game has ended, we carefully remove the lid from the pan and give the rice a quick stir with a fork. This is where the magic really happens - you'll be amazed at how fluffy and separate the rice becomes! Serve hot and enjoy!
Why We Love This Recipe
We love this recipe for many reasons. First and foremost, it's incredibly easy to make, even for beginners in the kitchen. The pilaf method adds a delicious depth of flavor to the rice, while the coconut oil provides a healthy and nutritious twist. Plus, this recipe makes a great base for many Chinese dishes, including our famous chicken curry soup.
The Benefits of Coconut Oil
Did you know that coconut oil has a number of benefits when it comes to cooking? Not only does it add a delicious flavor to your rice, but it also provides health benefits like reducing inflammation and improving digestion. By using coconut oil in this recipe, we're not only making a tasty dish, but also taking care of our overall health.
Conclusion
And there you have it - a simple recipe for brown rice that's sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting out, this recipe is easy to follow and produces delicious results every time. So go ahead, give it a try, and let us know what you think!