You may have noticed an unexpected inclusion in the package if you have ever bought a rice cooker. This rice paddle resembles a broad, flat spatula with a small handle and a circular head. Usually, it is composed of wood or plastic. They are referred to as “shamoji” in Japan and are a common culinary item. Thus, avoid putting it in the drawer of utensils along with other spatulas that aren’t used often. It will help maintain the rice cooker and greatly enhance the texture of the rice. Keep it next to the rice cooker.

What the rice paddle is used for

Rice cookers are protected with a nonstick coating, so only specific utensils—wood and plastic—should be used with them. Scraping and scratching the coating with metal and similar hard surfaces might cause it to peel off and lose its effectiveness. As a result, the cooker has a rice paddle that is safe to use with the main product.

The rice paddle’s basic function is to stir, scoop, and serve rice without breaking up the grains. Stirring the rice once the cooking cycle is over is a good idea when using a rice cooker. This process aids in removing extra moisture and keeps the dish’s texture uniform. This can be accomplished with the paddle while keeping its fluff. It’s also useful for incorporating vinegar into sushi rice.

Is a rice cooker a good purchase?

Putting the paddle aside, if you cook rice often or are hesitant about using the stove, rice cookers can be a huge help. When the rice is cooked, the cooking bowl automatically lowers or shuts off after heating to a boiling temperature. This is a straightforward cooking method. This tool makes the process even more reliable by providing a suggestion on how much water to add depending on the size and type of rice.

As the chef and proprietor of Goosefeather, Dale Talde remarked, “I love [a rice cooker] because it takes all the guesswork out of making perfect rice.” Because it adapts to help make perfect rice even if you accidentally add too much or too little water, it’s a must-have device.

Moreover. However, rice cookers can also be used to prepare stews and curries. In reality, certain versions contain a space reserved for these kinds of foods. To help you plan meals ahead of time or at the last minute, some additionally provide quick-cook and delay-start options.

Always rinse!

Rinse the raw grains until the water runs clear and the residue is gone, which is one of the most crucial rice-making recommendations. It eliminates dust, dirt, and bran particles from the rice and lowers the quantity of arsenic in it. As a market analyst at CR, Min Kim Bryant adds, “I’ve witnessed how they gather rice in the paddies and how it’s processed in the factories.” In the same way that I wash my fruit, I also wash my rice.

Some experts advise soaking tough grains, including brown rice, sushi rice, or wild rice, for approximately 30 minutes in order to help soften them.

Rice cooked on the stove

It’s helpful to know how to cook rice on the stove, regardless of whether you have a cooker. To begin, pick a big pot. “A lot of people cook rice in these tiny, tiny pots and wonder why the top is undercooked and the bottom is overcooked,” says JJ Johnson, chef and owner of Fieldtrip, a New York restaurant that specializes in rice. “The reason for this is that the rice lacks space to expand.”

Additionally, when using the stove, you need to be precise, unlike with cookers. Employ the following ratio:

For every cup of long-grain white rice, use 1½ cups of water.
One and a half cups water for sushi rice
2¼ cups water for brown rice that is short-grain

Next, over high heat, bring the rice and water to a boil, then reduce the heat. Once the water has been completely absorbed, cover the saucepan and simmer. Setting a timer for 20 minutes for white rice and 45 minutes for brown rice is standard practice. Remove the pot from the heat and leave it for ten minutes before fluffing it with a paddle if you have one.

More advice on cooking rice

Add broth or a mixture of water and coconut milk to the rice to enhance its flavor. Additionally, you can add spices like turmeric or saffron to the soup.

When cooking, don’t stir the grains.

To keep the grains from sticking together when cooking on the stovetop, add a little oil.

Toast freshly cooked rice on the stovetop by sautéing it in a little oil.

Make a lot of rice, divide it into servings, and store it in the freezer for another recipe. Warm it again in the microwave with a spoonful of water or reheat in a saucepan with a little water or oil.

Rice pudding, fried rice, and soups or stews can all benefit from using day-old rice.