Things you just can't get right...

[mave_the_rave]

I am a reasonable cook when I set my mind to it....

But I just cannot cook rice..

I have tried for many years... but my rice always turns out
with large swallen grains unlike the small grains I get in most
Indian resaurants...

I use high quality Basmati but it just does not work...

I cannot make bread either.. Hopeless case.

[gerbick]

I cannot spell convenient without really thinking about it.

[silverx2]

ridiculous is spelt with two i's. ridiculous

[hanratty21]

I bought a rice cooker last year. Best $40 I've ever spent. Perfect rice every time.

[mave_the_rave]

I bought a rice cooker last year. Best $40 I've ever spent. Perfect rice every time.

Could be the answer. But I live alone and only need to make small portions.

Probally why my attempts are poor.

I suspect making a large amount is more controllable.

[asheep_uk]

I suspect making a large amount is more controllable.

As far as I can tell, it's generally easier to cook everything in larger portions.

[silverx2]

wrong, getting the favor packets from 2 packs of ramen to equally flavor two bricks, is harder then doing each individually.

[el-Ignoramus]

wrong, getting the favor packets from 2 packs of ramen to equally flavor two bricks, is harder then doing each individually.

He said cooking, not feeding your gut worm


Mave, a rule of thumb for rice,

Wash it well with running water, soak it for 10-30 minutes

Never use the instant S*&% or the 3 minutes, or the 9 minutes or any of this crap

For Long grain or basmati or Jasmine rice use a ratio of 1:2 rice to water

For Short grain rice use 1:1 1/2 rice to water

same measurement tool, I keep a Coffee mug with no handle for that reason

Always fry drain your rice well, and add a little bit of oil, butter, ghee...etc to your cooking pot, then slightly fry your rice in it then add your hot water/broth/stock/liquid in the above mentioned ratio

Give it a boil, adjust your salt -last chance- then reduce the heat to a minimum, you should be seeing one or two bubbles at most, cover your pot with a tight lid, and wait for 12-15 minutes, checking twice to see if it needs more liquid and to stir it once to distribute the flavor

[david petley]

or you could use basic absorption method I learned from the back of a rice packet -

For one person...
1/2 cup long grain or basmati rice
3/4 cup water

Method: melt pinch of ghee in saucepan, throw in rice, shake around until rice becomes translucent (few seconds). You can ignore this step if you want, I find it helps to keep grains seperate in the end product..

Add water, bring to the boil.

As soon as water is boiling, put on the lid, turn down the heat pretty much as low as you can go and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

Don't be tempted to remove the lid to check, trust that your rice will cook without you looking at it.

At the end of 20 minutes, remove saucepan from heat, remove lid and stir lightly with a fork. Put the lid back on and leave for a minute or so, while you plate up rest of dinner.

Should get a good result. If you find it slightly overcooked, just reduce the cooking time by a few minutes next time.

The correct proportions of rice and water are essential for absorption method.

davidp

[FlashLackey]

At least you can apparently cook things other than rice.

The only things I can cook right are toast and corned beef and cabbage.

[silverx2]

you should try a pot roast.

step one.) open crockpot
step two.) insert ingredients
step three.) set to medium
step four.) come back in 6-8 hours and eat.

[hanratty21]

The only things I can cook right are toast and corned beef and cabbage.

Man who cook cabbage at home has house that smells like farts.

[hanratty21]

Also, what in the hell is ghee?

[el-Ignoramus]

Hanratty, I thought you were Indian or originally from India :S

Ghee is Butter, heated until water has evaporated from it, it's 'reduced' to a more solid state, which allows it to be stored for longer periods without refrigeration, it's very common in the Indian cuisine

[david petley]

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-ghee.htm

[hanratty21]

Not Indian -- been there a few times and will be there again in September. Thanks for the info. I'm sure I've had ghee, just without my knowledge...

[FlashLackey]

Man who cook...

Ah yes. Fortunately, I have woman who cook for man.

[el-Ignoramus]

Ah yes. Fortunately, I have woman who cook for man.

And that MAN is OK with you hanging out their dinning room's window??

[mave_the_rave]

Really apreciate all your advice..

I really have tried everthing.

But the thread was " Things YOU just can't get right"...

I thought it would be fun to find out what you guys & girls are just crap at..

[FlashLackey]

And that MAN is OK with you hanging out their dinning room's window??

Of course. I take him on walks and built his dog house.