It’s never too late to learn new cooking tricks, and those who think they know it all are wrong. Culinary knowledge really has no limits.
Did you know, for example, how to heat rice from the day before in the microwave without turning it into a sticky and unappetizing mass? Many already have their own method, proven over years of experience, and would hardly give up their old ways for a new one. However, if you don’t have a method yet, we have the perfect solution for you!
Many of us find ourselves in the situation of having to reheat pasta or rice that we have previously prepared, and we know very well how these foods can dry out after being heated.
How to heat rice without losing its texture
Before you start reheating rice, it’s important to remember that cooked rice can cause food poisoning if not stored properly. To avoid this, when cooking your rice, be sure to store any leftovers in the refrigerator and place them there once they have reached room temperature. Wrap in plastic or store in a suitable container within a couple of hours after cooking and use within five days. It is also essential to heat only the amount needed, since rice, like other foods, should not be reheated more than once.
The solution is as simple as placing an ice cube on top of the rice before microwaving it. Incredibly, the ice does not melt, but rather evaporates, giving the rice its soft and tasty texture, as if it had just been cooked. This trick works wonders, but how is it possible? It’s all due to the hydrogen bonds in ice, which prevent water molecules from moving around and, in turn, prevent them from absorbing microwave energy.
From now on, it will no longer be a problem to have leftover rice in the fridge from the night before. You will no longer have to worry about how to return it to its delicious texture, even after having been refrigerated for several hours. All you need is a microwave and an ice bucket. Put your doubts and hesitations aside, place the ice cube on top of the rice, close the microwave door, set the timer and temperature, and prepare to be amazed. When you take the dish out of the microwave, the cube will not have melted, but it will have helped keep the rice soft. At this point, you just have to try the dish and enjoy!