Mushy Rice???

Question

Is it true that you should rinse rice before cooking it? I heard that the starch is what makes the rice like mush and should be pre-washed. Also, why should or shouldn't you stir the rice while cooking?

Answer 1

Rice can become "mushy" because of over water and over cooking as well as incorrect preperations.
You should always start your rice if your cooking in a basic rice pot with a little oil, maybe add some chopped onions, not to saute but just tender then add rice, it will give the rice a nice coating and help keep rice kernal from breaking, do this at a low temp stiring rice to coat, then add a little water, stir bring to temp, then add a little more, keep doing this allowing water to reach temp each time you add.
I add water until you are about 1/4 inch above rice, water will be cloudy from starch and if you use your spoon and just give it a quick stir you should see the rice float up and then kinda diapear when it settles back down.
Another neat trick is to stand a metal or plastic spoon in the rice and when enough water is added it will stand up in the pan. But some times to much water can be added this way
I've been cooking in resturants for many years and and the most key thing to remember is its always better to be under then over, you can always add water but you cant take it out.
Also control your tempeture, as the rice is finishing the flame should be very low adjusting from high to low beginning to end. Also keep the rice covered and refrain from stiring, you only allow the steam to come out, which make rice so fluffy, and risk sticky rice, give it a stir maybe once before finish with a little butter. When you feel the urge to stir adjust the temp down a little instead and keep it closed , use your judgement on time from when you put the lid on and how it seemed cooked to the times you adjust temps, youll know when its done, and it shouldnt take long, I can make a good white rice like this to feed 50 in 25 to 30 minutes
But in all these years I have never once myself or seen any Chef rinse rice and I wouldn't suggest it, rice is mostly enriched and proccesed leaving very little room for dirt and debris under strict regulations, and you remove all the flavor and nutirent of the rice.
Good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 2

rinsing rice removes some of the gluten that causes the stick rice syndrome. It is a matter of preference whether you do it or not. The trick is to get the exact water to rice ratio down then DON'T PEAK while it is boiling. Too much stirring will give you the mushies

Answer 3

Yes, rinsing removes excess starch and leaves your final cooked dish fluffy and delicate rather than clumpy and mushy. I think the only reason NOT to stir is to keep the lid on so that the rice can absorb the liquid.

Answer 4

YES!!!OF COURSE U SHOULD RINSE RICE...u don't know what dirt might be in there..maybe the ppl that made the rice didn't clean it...anyways....idk y u shouldn't or should stir rice while cooking.......i have a rice cooker......but i know u shouldn't stir rice so that u will have better results

Answer 5

I don't rinse before cooking !!