The rice must be washed before putting it to cook-proiezionidiborsa.it
Before cooking rice, many people have a habit of washing it. But is this practice right or wrong? In this article, I’ll tell you what’s best to do.
The rice it’s a very versatile food. Immediately after pasta, it is the first dish among the most loved by Italians. There are some many varieties and lends itself to countless preparations. The preparation that immediately comes to mind is the classic risotto. Depending on the ingredients added, the possibilities to make are almost endless. They range from the traditional yellow risotto with saffron to various preparations with fish, meat and vegetables. Fundamental ingredient for arancini And timbalesthen, in the summer, rice triumphs on the table with the fresh and very colorful rice salads.
There are gestures that are performed habitually, almost automatically because they have been handed down for generations. One of them is wash the rice before cooking it. Many have seen it done to mothers and grandmothers. But, actually, is this a right practice? Let’s clarify.
Should rice be washed before cooking it or not?
Rinsing uncooked rice is useful for make it more digestible. However, they go to lose some important nutrients such as the B vitamins, some of folate, iron, niacin and thiamin. Having said that, it is good to clarify that you wash the rice remove most of the starch. This way you get a softer cereal that is easier to digest and that hardly overcooks.
Those who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux and gastritis they should therefore adopt this practice, especially if the intention is combine rice with meat or sausages. Think, for example, of risotto with sausage or traditional dishes such as the Milanese one which includes yellow risotto with ossobuco. The mix of starch and animal proteins generates strong acidity in the stomach, the main cause of reflux.
Much also depends on the types of cooking and the varieties
If you want to prepare a nice creamy risottothen it would be good avoid the pre-cooking rinseas the rice starch is essential for creaming and to give it that typical and delicious creaminess. No pre-wash therefore not even for rice puddings and porridge. On the contrary, if you are going to prepare summer salads, fried rice and sushi, then it’s good proceed with washing.
As for the types of rice, washing is recommended with Basmati, Jasmine, red rice, black rice and Thai rice. It would be better instead avoid washing Arborio, Roma rice and Carnaroli.
Washing rice has other benefits as well
In addition to all of the above, it is also good to remember that washing the rice before cooking it is useful for health reasons. In fact, they go to eliminate possible heavy metals and contaminantssuch as lead, arsenic, cadmium… as well as dirt, debris, insects and chemicals.
So: should rice be washed before putting it to cook? There is therefore no single answer to this question. As we have seen, in fact, the it all depends on several factors. In any case, to wash the rice, just pour it into a bowl and cover it completely with cold water and, with your hands, move the grains. Once this is done, drain it in a fine mesh strainer and run it over running water until the water that comes out is clear.
