My Iraqi neighbor makes the best rice. Any ideas how they make it so flavorful and non sticky?!
Answers: He said he uses chicken broth. The rice is oily. But it's the absolute best.
He most likely uses Basmati rice, the ratio is 1 cup rice to 2 cups chicken broth. He sautes the rice in a little butter first, then adds the chicken broth and cooks it. You can also saute the rice with some shallots and spices (cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom, saffron, bay leaf......).
Won't he give you the recipe?... and tell you exactly which brands he uses.....
when you are cooking the rice, add 1/3 cup vegetable oil and 1 tsp of chicken bullion or 3 bullion cubes!!!
I also chop onion, celery and carrots and throw them in with the rice while it is cooking
They probably use olive oil, corn oil, or Ghee. And he probably uses some spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic and maybe chilis.
It's the TYPE of rice that you need to know, more than anything to make it non-sticky. Ask the neighbour after you rave about how good it was.
The Muse
One way is to cook the rice in oil for a few minutes before adding in the water/broth. Also--rinse the rice before you cook it.
Ask them what kind of rice they are using, and ask them how many glass of water you need to cook it. Every rice needs a different amount of water. let rice stay in cold water at least for 3 hours, before you cook it. add vegetable oil, or margarita to the rice. it helps the rice not to stick together.
people in the middle east area- use differnt types of things depending wat type they are maknig.
some times;
cardamom, cinnamon stick, ghee, rose water,cloves, cumin seeds, fried pine nuts, it varies upon individuals taste & recipes.
from my own rice exp if I'm making good rice for parties, I usually use ghee (1/4 c), 10- 12 cardomom & a small stick cinnamon, I onion cut into small cubes, 2 tbsp salt, 3 c basmati rice, 6 c water or broth same measurin c 4 rice.
Method;
Heat ghee add car & cinn
fry the onion until light brown
Add water or broth then salt,bring to boil then add the rice.
cook over high heat until water evapurates.
lower the heat & cook over low heat for 20-30 min.
This is the most simple yummy rice try it & see if it works.
You are right. He probably uses a good brand of basmati. You probably won't find Kohinoor everywhere but Tilda is pretty good and widely available. Soak your rice for about half an hour. Drain the water. This will wash of the excess starch and dirt. Add more water. You might want to add a little butter or olive oil and now cook in microwave as per instructions. You should not have more than 3/4 inch of water above your rice. I bet your rice will be as good as his.
why don't you ask him to be a good neighbour and give you the recipe ------- isn't that what being a good neighbour is!