HOW TO REHEAT WHITE RICE

HOW TO REHEAT WHITE RICE

There are questions as to whether it is safe to reheat left over white rice or not. It is totally doable; you just have to do it right. By doing it right we mean store your rice in a refrigerator as quickly as possible once you are done eating.Why in the refrigerator? Because research has gathered that uncooked white rice contain spores which survive being cooked. These spores develop into a bacterium that can cause food poisoning. The bacterium is said to multiply into poison when the rice is exposed to room temperature.

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STORING LEFTOVER WHITE RICE

Having gathered all this, the good news is, it’s not the heating of the rice that causes food poisoning but how you stored the leftover white rice. It is better to serve your rice as soon as you are done cooking it.

If that is not solution enough and you happen to store it in a refrigerator, make sure not to keep it for more than two days. The rice can only be stored for longer than forty-eight hours if,it is stored in a freezer,it can go for two months and still be safe for consumption.

When stored in the fridge, white rice turns hard, dehydrated and clumps together. As hopeless as that plate of dried out rice looks, it can actually be restored back to its original fluffy taste. If you had stored your white rice in the freezer, there is no need to defrost it, rather, smash it into smaller pieces and reheat the rice as directed below:

HOW TO REHEAT WHITE RICE IN MICROWAVE.

Most people will prefer having their white rice reheated in the microwave, reason being it is the fastest method there is.

  • Get a microwave safe container and place your white rice in it. If the container is made from plastic the better, as plastic receives heat faster than any other material.
  • Use a spoon or fork to smash all clumps if there are any. This is done as means of ensuring that the heat is distributed evenly to all the contents in the container during the reheating process. If and when left lumped, the clumps won’t get the required heat.
  • Reheating white rice right away will zap out the moisture, causing the it to be dry and unappealing. Add water at least one table spoon of water or broth per each cup of rice. This stimulates the moisture to steam your rice. If you are not big on following given measurements, pour enough water to steam your rice.
  • Note:The rice should by no means be swimming in a pool of water after heating.
  • Cover the container with a microwave safe plastic lid which will keep the moisture in. Do not seal it completely. If you own no such lid, dampen a paper towel and cover the bowl of rice with it.
  • Use high heat to warm your rice for one to two minutes depending on the quantity of your white rice.If the rice is frozen, heat it for two to three minutes. Steer the rice in between the minutes so that it’s heated all the way. Be sure to use oven mitts to handle the bowl of reheated white rice or you might burn your fingers.
  • NB: If ever you had stored your white rice in a zip bag and you wish to microwave it from the zip lock storage bag. First make sure the bag is microwave safe. Crush the lumps, pour a little water then pop the bag into the microwave. Open the zip a little then heat for two to three minutes.When the plastic starts to balloon and steam up it will be ready.

STEAM IT ON THE STOVETOP

For this method you will need a wide, flat skillet with a base big enough to heat the rice evenly. This method might just be the best as you will be in total control of the reheating process. This entails that you will not be surprised by the outcome of the steaming process as you would be at finding out that you overheated the rice in the microwave.

  • Place the white rice into the skillet and break all the rice chunks.
  • Add a little water, broth, olive oil or butter and cover with the right size lid.
  • Cook the rice over low heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to insure that the heat is distributed evenly.Do so respectably until your white rice is thoroughly reheated and fluffy.

REHEATING WHITE RICE IN THE OVEN

  • You will need an oven-safe tray/dish big enough to contain the ricewithout having to squeeze it in.
  • Separate any rice lumps.
  • Add little water depending on the quantity of rice being warmed. Adding broth and / oil is ideal as these enhance flavour.
  • Cover the dish or tray with a fitting lid or aluminium foil then put into the oven.
  • Bake at 300F (148C) for about 20-25 minutes. You can leave the dish in the oven after switching off the oven until ready to serve.

REHEATING WHITE RICE BY STIR- FRY METHOD

This method is almost similar to the stove top one, the difference being on the stove top you do more steaming than frying.

  • Heat a spoonful of oil in a skillet at high heat. The amount of oil used depends on the quantity of white rice being reheated.
  • Add the rice, breaking all clumps and mixing the rice so it’s coated by the oil.
  • This method does not require you to cover the skillet with the lid.
  • Cook until the rice is thoroughly heated.
  • Remember to save your rice while still snow white and steaming hot all the way through: Reheating it more than once is a recipe for food poisoning.

REHEATING FRIED WHITE RICE ON THE STOVETOP

The safety precautions on how to store white rice which have been mentioned above also apply to fried rice.

Reheating white fried rice on the stovetop has been proven to be the best method to warm fried rice, it will bring back the original smoothness and flavour of the fried rice.

  • Pour a little water, broth or oil to your skillet, depending on how oily your fried rice is and warm it up(the fluid).
  • Add the rice into the skillet and stir continuously so that each kennel is coated by the oil or broth.
  • Cook at high heat for 10-12 minutes.
  • Allow your rice to cool and enjoy.

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