Sticky rice can be the bane of a cook’s existence but it doesn’t have to be. You can use a couple simple techniques to prevent your rice from being sticky. Sticky rice usually happens when there is nothing to prevent the rice from clumping together. While sticky rice is perfect for Asian cuisine, especially sushi, it’s not always a first choice. Using long grain or wild rice will prevent stickiness because the makeup of the rice is different from processed white rice. You can also add a little fat to the rice, which will prevent sticking as well.
Cook wild or long grain rice. If you aren’t picky about what type of rice you eat, choose a longer rice. The rice won’t stick together and this is also a good choice if you don’t want to add extra fat to your rice.
Use chicken broth as a replacement for the water. The chicken broth adds flavor to the rice and has natural fat. Look at the rice instructions to see how much water you need and replace that with an equal amount of chicken broth.
Add 1 or 2 tbsp. of olive oil to the water for the rice when it is boiling. The fat in the oil keeps the rice from clumping together. You can also use butter if you prefer. Add the same amount as the olive oil as the water boils.
References
- “366 Delicious Ways to Cook Rice, Beans, and Grains”; Andrea Chesman; 1998
- “The Amazing World of Rice: with 150 Recipes for Pilafs, Paellas, Puddings, and More”; Marie Simmons; 2002
- “Cookin' With Beans and Rice”; Peggy Layton; 1998
Writer Bio
Melissa Hamilton began writing professionally in 2007. She has enjoyed cooking creatively in the kitchen from a young age. In addition to writing cooking articles for various publications, she currently works in the restaurant industry as a food and beverage trainer.