The Varieties of Rice Dishes

Rice is a nutritionally rich food, containing proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, making it an essential energy source for the human body. (know more about health benefits of rice) Besides providing energy, rice can create a variety of culinary variations, enriching flavors, and delicious dishes through different cooking methods. Below are six cooking variations of rice:

• Steamed Rice : The simplest way to cook rice is using an electronic rice cooker. All you need to do is put washed rice and the appropriate amount of water into the cooker, select the desired mode, and press the button. While waiting, you can prepare other dishes, making it a common yet delicious home cooking in Taiwan.
• Porridge: Porridge is a thick, soupy dish made by boiling water and rice together to the desired consistency. It’s often stirred during cooking and can be flavored with various ingredients and seasonings according to regional traditions and tastes. Porridge is easy to digest, rich in nutrients, and ideal for consumption when the stomach is upset or during illness.
• Risotto: Risotto is made by slowly simmering raw rice in small amounts of broth, stirring frequently. The friction from stirring releases starch from the rice grains, allowing them to absorb the flavors of the broth while retaining a chewy texture. Short grain rice is commonly used for risotto due to its high starch content.
• Fried Rice: Fried rice is a popular Chinese dish made by stir-frying leftover cooked rice with various vegetables, meats, or other ingredients. Eggs are often added, and the mixture is stir-fried until fully cooked, resulting in a flavorful dish with a rich aroma.
• Rice with Sauce: Short grain rice has a firm texture and can maintain its chewiness even after cooking, making it ideal for absorbing sauce flavors. It’s suitable for dishes like curry rice, where the chewy rice is paired with a rich curry sauce and complemented by vegetables, meats, or legumes.
• Vinegar Rice: Taiwanese short grain rice are large and plump, and when mixed with vinegar, they maintain a chewy texture even when cooled. Vinegar rice made from sticky rice not only has a refreshing taste but also enhances the flavors of other ingredients. Therefore, it is commonly used in sushi and rice bowls to create a refreshing and rich culinary experience.