SAEDNEWS: Rice is a staple in many households and is often served alongside various dishes during ceremonies and gatherings. However, cooking rice perfectly can be challenging, and it's easy to end up with mushy rice. Here are six effective ways to improve the appearance of mushy rice if you don't have time to make a new batch.
Avoid Overstirring the Rice When hosting guests and finding your rice mushy, it's easy to panic and over-stir the rice to check its consistency. This only breaks the grains further, making them even mushier.
Use Cold Water If your rice turns mushy, quickly drain it and rinse it with cold or icy water. This stops the rice from getting softer and helps remove excess starch.
Make a Tahdig A golden, crispy tahdig (the crispy layer of rice or bread at the bottom of the pot) can divert your guests' attention from the mushy rice. Using bread or potatoes for tahdig provides an appealing side that can compensate for the mushy rice.
Don't Close the Lid Tightly If your rice is too soft, avoid closing the pot lid tightly. Allow some steam to escape to prevent water droplets from falling back into the rice and making it even softer. Leave the lid partially open.
Skip the Steam Cloth When your rice is mushy, don't use a steam cloth, as it traps steam and keeps the rice soft. Instead, let the rice's water evaporate naturally by not covering it.
Increase the Heat Turn up the heat slightly to evaporate any excess water, drying out the rice a bit. Be cautious to avoid burning it.
By following these tips, you can improve the appearance and texture of mushy rice, making it more presentable and enjoyable for your guests.
