Rice is the staple food of most people in India. It is affordable and accessible and helps you prepare nutritious meals in less time. Unfortunately, it also comes with its fair share of controversy and due to the excess starch content, rice is often labeled as unhealthy. However, experts around the world suggest that if cooked the right way and taken in the right quantity, rice fills you with many health-beneficial properties – it is rich in fiber, easy to digest and helps you Keeps full for a long time. While we recommend consulting an expert to understand the right amount of rice for you, in this article, we will show you how to make it right.
The main thing is to avoid starches as much as possible. Therefore, the best way is to drain the rice water after cooking. Now you might be wondering how to drain the water, because the water is very hot and difficult to handle. That’s where we come to your rescue. We have listed two popular ways for you to filter out excess rice water, so you can enjoy it guilt-free.
Also read: Has your rice become mushy and sticky? Here are 5 easy ways to fix it
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Why is it important to drain rice?
You must have often seen people making rice in pressure cookers and rice cookers, where the water is completely absorbed into the dish. But this is not a healthy practice at all, especially for people who eat it regularly. Therefore, we suggest cooking rice in a vessel with enough water; The water absorbs the starch from the rice, which if strained makes it fluffy and light on the stomach. On the other hand, absorption of water retains all the starch, making the rice heavy.
How to filter rice water properly:
Start by cleaning the raw rice thoroughly to remove impurities. Then put it in a pot of boiling water and let it cook. Once done, dry it using the following techniques.
Technique 1. Age-old Method:
This process is widely adopted by the elders in the house. For this you will have to cook rice in a vessel with a flat lid. When the rice is cooked, turn off the flame and cover it with a lid and hold it with two heavy pieces of cloth on both sides. Now tilt the vessel over the sink and let the water drain slowly. Remember to open the tap water to avoid damage to the sink pipe due to hot rice water.
Technique 2. Use a Strainer:
This method is very simple. Take a stainless steel strainer, place it in another bowl and drain the rice water slowly. Keep the rice in a sieve for some time to dry thoroughly. You can use another easier process. Place a strainer over the rice pot and slowly drain the water.
Bonus Tip: Store Rice Water:
Do you know, rice water can be used in many other ways in your daily life? It is advisable not to eat rice soaked in water, but you can always use it for various health and beauty purposes. According to macrobiotic health coach and nutritionist Shilpa Arora, “The starch left after cooking rice is packed with nutrients like Vitamin B, C and various essential minerals. All of these together benefit your skin, hair and more ” Click here for details of benefits and uses of rice water.
